AshbyCapital signs sunglasses firm for West London headquarters

AshbyCapital has let 22,931 sq ft at the Kensington Building, W8, to EssilorLuxottica, parent company of Ray-Ban. The property investment management company has let the entirety of the second floor of the building to the firm which designs, manufactures and distributes ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. The 94,734 sq ft building, which completed last year, is the first new headquarters office building in Kensington in over 35 years. This includes flexible floor plates, and 12,329 sq ft of landscaped terraces for work outside or as a summer event space. During construction the existing frame was re-purposed which reduced CO2 emissions on the office building by around 30% and the building is fully electric with 100% of its electricity coming from renewable sources. Located next to High Street Kensington tube station, the office has access to the District and Circle lines and offers a link to Crossrail at Paddington station five minutes away. The building is rated BREEAM Excellent and incorporates 165 ground-floor cycle parking spaces. It also offers green features including solar panels, LED lighting and smart controls via a building app. AshbyCapital chief executive Peter Ferrari said that the deal “is a major vote of confidence in the next-generation, sustainable workplace”. Cushman & Wakefield represented EssilorLuxottica. Agents for the building are Cushman & Wakefield and EiA Real Estate. See more lettings information in Kensington and Chelsea>> To send feedback, e-mail chante.bohitige@eg.co.uk or tweet @bohitige or @EGPropertyNews Photo © SEC Newgate