Game developer moves to next level in Newcastle
Ubisoft Reflections is expanding its video game development studio in Newcastle, after signing for more space at its Gosforth offices.
Ubisoft Reflections will take a 10-year lease of the second floor of Partnership House, totalling 14,370 sq ft.
It has regeared its existing leases on the third and fifth floors at the property, taking its total space occupied to 43,987 sq ft. This has made it Newcastle’s largest office letting so far this year.
Ubisoft Reflections is expanding its video game development studio in Newcastle, after signing for more space at its Gosforth offices.
Ubisoft Reflections will take a 10-year lease of the second floor of Partnership House, totalling 14,370 sq ft.
It has regeared its existing leases on the third and fifth floors at the property, taking its total space occupied to 43,987 sq ft. This has made it Newcastle’s largest office letting so far this year.
Newcastle City Council owns the 10-storey office building, which is on the Regent Centre business park. Originally the headquarters of Northern Rock, other occupiers include Airbus Defense Space, Clifford Chance and Cundall. The latest letting leaves just 9,462 sq ft available on the first floor.
Ubisoft Reflections has created games including the Just Dance series, Tom Clancey’s The Division and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. Its studio was set up 30 years ago in the UK, with more than 240 staff based in Gosforth.
Newcastle is also home to Ubisoft’s EMEA consumer relationship centre, which is based at the Haymarket Hub and accommodates more than 230 people.
Giselle Stewart, director of UK corporate affairs at France-headquartered Ubisoft, said the expansion of Ubisoft Reflections “represents a new stage in the development of our presence in the UK”.
She said: “The UK is an important hub of games talent, innovation and creativity, and this growth will offer the scope to build on the studio’s long history in the North East and provide a strong basis for our future plans.”
Richard Blenkinsop, managing director of Ubisoft Reflections and Ubisoft Leamington, said: “The new agreement allows us to expand beyond our two floors and, by August, we aim to have renovations complete and all three floors operational.
“This growth is not only significant for Ubisoft, but also for the North East video game industry as a whole, as it continues to become a hotspot for industry leading talent from all over the world.”
Games association Ukie recently ranked Newcastle as one of eight UK cities where gaming generates more than £60m in GVA. Newcastle was the fourth biggest city, contributing £85.8m.
Ged Bell, councillor and cabinet member for employment and culture at Newcastle City Council, said: “This investment from Ubisoft Reflections signals confidence for the future and is testament to our city as a place to establish and grow a successful gaming business.”
Lambert Smith Hampton and Knight Frank acted on behalf of Newcastle City Council; Avison Young represented Ubisoft Reflections.
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