BridgeStreet Worldwide Wins Distinguished Serviced Apartment Award

BridgeStreet Worldwide recently was the recipient of the Diamond Award for “Best Serviced Apartment Company” in 2008. The award is regarded as one of the most distinguished awards recognized by those who are responsible for securing the best service and value from serviced apartment suppliers.

The award committee consists of a panel of experts that consist of top quality buyers who represent companies and organizations as well as a team of leading business travel journalists. Readers of the organization magazine are given the opportunity to vote through the magazine or through an online portal. The Diamond Award represents a significant achievement for BridgeStreet Worldwide in offering outstanding serviced apartment accommodations for extended stay travelers.

BridgeStreet Worldwide provides contemporary style serviced apartments in the primary areas of London which include Manchester, Heathrow, Leeds, and Birmingham. The company is considered a leading serviced apartment provider in the UK and has plans to expand its portfolio into Europe during 2008. The serviced apartment provider plans to ensure that all properties will be graded within the first year of implementation to maintain and ensure consistency in delivering quality services.

According to Stephen Hanton, CEO of BridgeStreet Worldwide, the Diamond Award is a significant achievement for the company and a notable recognition from the Travel Industry in a relatively new segment of extended stay accommodations. The recognition transpires from Buying Business Travel which is the leading travel business publication in the UK serving travel and meeting buyers, decision-makers and arrangers.

BridgeStreet Worldwide offers over 15,000 serviced apartment units throughout the United States as well as 50 cities internationally and will continue to offer luxury accommodations to clients in locations that are high in demand.

Serviced Office Provider Avanta Expands Hammersmith Centre

Avanta, a major serviced office provider in the UK has recently acquired an extra 38,825 square feet from St. Martins Property Corporation which will significantly expand its Hammersmith business centre located at 1 Hammersmith Grove. As a result, the business venture is being regarded as one of the biggest office space acquisitions in Hammersmith this year. Avanta now provides high quality serviced office space in over 11 floors of the Hammersmith Centre.

The expansion of serviced office space marks another stepping stone in the growth of Avanta. The company has achieved consistent expansion during the last two years and plans to announce the opening of additional serviced offices in London next year. Avanta serviced offices in the Hammersmith Centre have a ninety percent occupancy rate and Avanta expects that the demand will continue.

Avanta serviced office space is notorious for offering flexible office space with advanced business technology that is highly competitive in price. The serviced office space is also tailor made to meet the unique requirements of each company.

Avanta partnered with St. Martins Property Corporation in leasing at a discount market rent in return for a share of the turnover from its managed serviced office space. The concept is known as a turnover rent model and is an arrangement which can deliver as much as 120% on the market rent. Avanta is pursuing this model as part of the plans for continuing expansion.

Avanta’s project expansion project at Hammersmith Centre is part of the launch of Avanta Virtual PA, a new virtual office service. The new serviced office project is designed to provide a complete package of office support services without the actual office space. The new service also offers a range of business facilities to home workers, business start-ups, mobile professionals, and larger companies seeking a presence in London.

Hammersmith Centre is one of London’s prime business locations and clients can enjoy a prestigious London address without paying the required rent to physically occupy the building. Avanta staff provides mail forwarding and a call management service that allows clients to enjoy their own London telephone number. There is also an experienced office back-up support team.
The serviced office space also offers conferencing space for companies who wish to rent space for a day away from the office.

Apartotels Adds New Self-Catered Serviced Apartments in Croydon

Apartotels has added a serviced apartment facility in Croydon so business as well as leisure travelers can have more long and short term stay options. Credible Apartments is a new four-star luxury serviced apartment facility offering home-like accommodations. With the inclusion of Credible Apartments, Apartotels has increased the options for travelers that are in search of luxurious and comfortable accommodations in the Croydon area.

The new serviced apartment facility offers contemporary styled units which include studios, one-bedroom, and loft style. The self-catered serviced apartments offer business and leisure travelers a comfortable bedroom fitted with top quality double beds or twin beds. A telephone is also provided together with alarm clock and ample wardrobe space. All bathrooms are tiled and have power showers and some integrated baths and heated towel rails. All kitchens are fully fitted with oven, hob, and fridge freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer and all cooking utensils, crockery glassware and cutlery. To make your stay hassle free they give you the opportunity to pre-order groceries online prior to your stay.

The serviced apartment units also include amenities such as hi-speed Internet connection, Plasma Screen TV, coffee and tea making facilities. There is also a separate radio incorporating iPod/MP3 connectivity, and dedicated Broadband Access. All serviced apartments have a dedicated direct dial digital telephone with voice mail facility.

There is a gym available which is set in a separate room and equipped with plasma screen. Included in this facility is a 4 seat infrared sauna with integrated CD and radio.

Credible Serviced Apartments in Croydon is located near numerous restaurants and shopping centers. The facility is also located within walking distance to the East Croydon train station.

Apartotels was established in 2004 and since has been operating over more than 600 serviced apartments which are situated in all the primaryt locations of London, Paris and other European cities. Apartotels offers business as well as leisure travelers the feeling of home away from home with space and flexibility. The serviced apartments are suitable for a single person to families and for all type of businesses for short as well as long term stay.

Serviced Offices a Cost Effective Solution for Business Start-Up

For anyone thinking about business start-up, location and space are a prime consideration and vital part of the start-up capital investment. If working from home is a possibility, most entrepreneurs are considering the advantages and benefits of a virtual office which is offered by most serviced office providers for a daily fee or short term lease. The price includes a mailing address, call forwarding as well as access to meeting rooms and a community presence.

Serviced offices are rapidly becoming the accepted solution for those desiring to work away from home without the daunting task of renting office space on the basis of a long term lease which can run into thousands of pounds. Not an easy and cost effective solution for businesses that are in the start-up phase of development.

When making a comparison of using a serviced office as opposed to a traditional leasehold office, Richard Smith, Managing Director of SOS (Search Office Space), points out that many times there is a finder’s fee for commercial property agents that accompanies the six month to one year deposit fee on a traditional leasehold office. In contrast with a serviced office which usually does not involve a finders fee and requires on the average of a one month deposit.

When you sign a conventional lease there is the possibility of incurred legal fees often in the thousands which are long winded and full of complicated legal statements. With a serviced office, the legal fees are zero to nominal with license agreements that are concise and easy to understand.

In London, serviced offices are located within landmark office building such as Canary Wharf, The Gherkin, Berkeley Square House and are within reason and open to everyone. If you are a small business, it is nearly impossible to secure a traditional lease in the landmark buildings unless you are a large corporate entity or at least a company with a strong track record.

Once you secure an office via conventional lease, the extra costs associated with furnishings, IT infrastructure, Internet access, telephony are daunting not to mention the unexpected service charge bills you may receive for added maintenance works or building improvements.

In a serviced office facility, it is very easy for small businesses and start-ups to budget because the billing is predominantly all inclusive for the entire services you are receiving. Additionally, when your business expands, serviced offices enable expansion as needed and you only pay the rent for the amount of space needed. With traditional leased office space you may end up renting more space than you actually need based on future projections for company growth.

If you are thinking about business start-up you want to seriously consider the flexible serviced office option. The concept is unbeatable when it comes to savings, flexibility, and the low start up capital necessary as opposed to signing a traditional lease that will most likely consume your entire seed budget and then some.

London Serviced Office Space Still in Demand During Economic Downturn

Demand for prime serviced office space in London still continues to be thriving according to reports from British Land one of the largest property investment trusts in the UK. Although the global economy continues to experience falling property values and an economic downturn in general, the serviced office industry in the UK is still experiencing growth.

Prime London serviced office space has approached over supply as a result of the speculation of new stock coming into the market. However, earnings per share during the second quarter of this year witnessed an increase as a result of rental income revenue from serviced office space.

In prime locations on the West End serviced office rental values have remained consistent where locations such as the city office market have experienced some downturn in the demand for serviced offices. The contrast has created an opportunity for operators in the serviced office industry to capitalize on companies that want to avoid long term leases.

According to Charles Gibson-Smith of British Land, companies such as AGM have experienced serviced office rental values that remained consistent and nearly all of the serviced office space had full occupancy. The company also has many long term lease agreements in their serviced office buildings.

Although Gibson-Smith made this positive statement, British Land experienced a three percent decline in its share value and the company lost £1.3 billion from property value of its London office and retail property assets within the last year.

Despite the economic downturn there is still a wealth of opportunity for serviced office providers due to the increasing diversity of product and the flexibility of leasing agreements. This statement is according to John Venables, Managing Director of Office Broker. Serviced office space still represents only a small fragment of overall workspace solutions. However, with the wide variety of available serviced office space, this will still encourage many businesses to establish a business presence in the UK. The variety and flexibility lends itself to different business needs of companies which will make the opportunity attractive to most.

Additionally, businesses just do not want to sign up for long leases, they also want to be able to upgrade or downgrade with the changing needs of the company. With serviced office solutions you only pay for what you need in one monthly payment without the threat of any surprise or hidden charges which makes a very cost effective alternative, even in the midst of an economic downturn.

New and Different Serviced Office Space in Wilmslow

There is a relatively new and different serviced office space currently operating in the town of Wilmslow in Cheshire which offers unique services and features unlike any other serviced office space in the UK.

Demute, which means avoiding commuting and balancing work and life, offers a unique billing structure in which tenants can pay £10 per day for a serviced office space consisting of a chair, desk, wireless Internet access, business mailbox, call forwarding, and nearby kitchen facilities containing tea and coffee. Tenants are also granted access to photocopying and printing services.

Although you cannot book a serviced office in this facility in advance or long-term, just the idea that you can pay just £10 a day for complete services is an opportunity that no other serviced office facility currently offers. The idea is to provide business people with an on demand service that you can use instantly instead of a long term facility which would house your business indefinitely.

The Demute service d office facility appeals to small business workers who usually work from home but have the desire for a change of pace environment for a few days each week. It also appeals to large companies who want to give their workers an alternative work place where things can get done or additional time to work that does not have to be spent on the daily commute.

The Demute serviced office facility also provides the local small businesses with the opportunity to meet potential business partners, suppliers or even customers in a more relaxing environment instead of trying to connect at a meeting where the whole understanding of one’s services must be accomplished in a short period of time.

Tenants can simply pay for the serviced office by the day and leave which is a great opportunity if you are trying to start a small business and do not have the resources to finance a long term serviced office. There are no extras to pay for when you purchase a serviced office space for the day and it provides an excellent alternative to accomplishing work without the time consuming commute.

The Demute serviced office facility is located close to where people actually live and is also near the shops and public transport links. There is plenty of parking spaces near the building and the overheads are kept low to keep costs down and make it more accessible to business people with small budgets.

Business people who are tired of commuting everyday, sitting in traffic and then looking for an expensive parking place welcome the convenience of the Demute short term serviced office facility. The environment is refreshing and a relaxing alternative to the daily grind.

South Yorkshire Serviced Office Provider Wins ICT Award

The Quadrant, a leading serviced office provider in South Yorkshire recently won ICT active accreditation as a result of the excellent ICT infrastructure it provides in its serviced offices. By gaining ICT active accreditation The Quadrant has proved that the serviced offices are equipped with all of the ICT facilities the tenants need.

On announcing the Quadrant as the first ICT active serviced office property Councilman Wilson said: “I am very pleased that not only South Yorkshire but also Sheffield is leading the way again with this award and I look forward to the roll out of ICT active accreditation across the region and further afield.”

To be awarded ICT accreditation, The Quadrant had to undergo a thorough technical survey which tested various aspects of its ICT facilities including the IT infrastructure and the services of telephony and Internet.

The survey assesses the different elements of ICT provisions in a building and recognizes that there are different market offerings in serviced office facilities. Some tenants want comprehensive ICT services to be provided and other tenants want a serviced office space that is ready for them to make their own arrangements. The ICT survey thoroughly assesses these services before providing a stamp of approval.

On gaining the accreditation, Jim Coleman, Manager of The Quadrant said: “ICT is vital to any business’ day to day operations and that is why we aim to have the best infrastructure possible.”

Completion of the ICT accreditation indicates that the property has both the infrastructure and facilities to support most businesses. Rather than just claiming to have good ICT, The Quadrant will now have an ICT accreditation to support that claim.

The Quadrant offers flexible broadband packages and telephony to its serviced offices which will have tenants up and running in no time. It provides professional reception services and 24 hour access to fully equipped serviced office space. . The conference room and meeting rooms also have the latest audio visual equipment.

Fifteen other serviced office facilities across South Yorkshire have since signed up to become ICT active and are currently undergoing assessment.

Serviced Offices to be provided in Aberdeen Business Park

A new serviced office project will be provided in West Point Business Park. The project will be a 150,000 square foot office development at Westhill that will provide high quality serviced office space for over 1500 workers for companies.

The project will offer flexible serviced office accommodations with the latest IT infrastructure, professional reception services, and fully furnished office space in a contemporary business park environment

The Aberdeen serviced office market performed strongly throughout 2007 and was boosted by continued confidence in the energy sector and high and rising oil prices. Major office occupiers signify the importance of the oil industry as a key driver in Aberdeen’s economy and serviced office market, with the city home to a large number of multinational oil companies and a number of professional services companies.

Last year Knight Real Estate, recently named one of the fastest growing construction companies in the UK, was granted planning approval and appointed a principal contractor for this exciting new development at West Point Business Park in Westhill.

West Point Business Park will offer a number of high quality services and facilities such as modern spacious serviced office suites varying in sizes, conference rooms, a lounge room, state of the art Internet and network access, professional and friendly reception services and 24 hour secure access. Businesses are increasingly seeking more cost-effective office space solutions without the accompanying capital costs that can be expensive. They're looking for facility options that will grow as their business grows.

Developers believe with certainty that this industry will continue to expand in popularity with rising oil prices and the increasing number of companies turning to the serviced office industry.

South Yorkshire Serviced Office Provider Wins ICT Award

The Quadrant, a leading serviced office provider in South Yorkshire recently won ICT active accreditation as a result of the excellent ICT infrastructure it provides in its serviced offices. By gaining ICT active accreditation The Quadrant has proved that the serviced offices are equipped with all of the ICT facilities the tenants need.

On announcing the Quadrant as the first ICT active serviced office property Councilman Wilson said: “I am very pleased that not only South Yorkshire but also Sheffield is leading the way again with this award and I look forward to the roll out of ICT active accreditation across the region and further afield.”

To be awarded ICT accreditation, The Quadrant had to undergo a thorough technical survey which tested various aspects of its ICT facilities including the IT infrastructure and the services of telephony and Internet.

The survey assesses the different elements of ICT provisions in a building and recognizes that there are different market offerings in serviced office facilities. Some tenants want comprehensive ICT services to be provided and other tenants want a serviced office space that is ready for them to make their own arrangements. The ICT survey thoroughly assesses these services before providing a stamp of approval.

On gaining the accreditation, Jim Coleman, Manager of The Quadrant said: “ICT is vital to any business’ day to day operations and that is why we aim to have the best infrastructure possible.”

Completion of the ICT accreditation indicates that the property has both the infrastructure and facilities to support most businesses. Rather than just claiming to have good ICT, The Quadrant will now have an ICT accreditation to support that claim.

The Quadrant offers flexible broadband packages and telephony to its serviced offices which will have tenants up and running in no time. It provides professional reception services and 24 hour access to fully equipped serviced office space. . The conference room and meeting rooms also have the latest audio visual equipment.

Fifteen other serviced office facilities across South Yorkshire have since signed up to become ICT active and are currently undergoing assessment.

Demand for Serviced Offices Increases in Birmingham

Last year Birmingham came out on top in the ranking for commercial property hot spots by Office Broker, the UK’s leading online office brokering business. The ranking resulted in a significantly increased demand for serviced offices in Birmingham.

This year Birmingham has been named one of the top spots for serviced offices in the UK by Office Broker. According to the analysis conducted by Office Broker, serviced office inquiries in Birmingham have risen 41% from last year as the city continues to be named as one of the great communities to live in.

The demand for serviced offices in Birmingham has resulted in an increase in brokered deals for businesses outside of London seeking serviced office space in Birmingham, more than anywhere else in the UK. Due to the large variety of available space for serviced offices in Birmingham, many different businesses with diverse needs will be able to establish a presence in Birmingham.

Serviced office spaces range from warehouse to out of town business parks and contemporary style city centers in a period style accommodation.
As a result of high ranking it is predicted that business will continue to see the benefits of the growing digital economy in Birmingham. Serviced offices are part of the plans to eventually develop a virtual Birmingham, offering businesses the opportunity to be able to take up presence in the city through serviced offices as well as promote themselves in Birmingham’s digital community. The growing demand for serviced offices in Birmingham, will provide businesses with the opportunities to operate with 21st century digital technology.

Birmingham, England’s second largest thriving city, has an extensive history of leadership in industry and commerce. It plans to continue its industrial leadership with digital technology advancement by making the power of digital technology available to businesses and other entities in the Birmingham community. Birmingham plans to transition from an industrial city to a digital city and become a leading competitor in global technologies and 21st century alternative officing.

With the continually expanding range of commercial opportunities in Birmingham as well as being a great city to live in, the future of the serviced office industry looks very optimistic.

Serviced Apartment Project Offers Luxury in Aberdeen City North

Aberdeen City North Apartments in Aberdeen, United Kingdom will have a new addition of serviced apartments enlisted by Apartotels. The serviced apartments in the Aberdeen complex will offer luxurious and spacious accommodations to both business and leisure travelers as well as provide travelers with a feeling of a home away from home setting.

The serviced apartments in the Aberdeen City North complex have fully equipped amenities such as two double bedrooms, complete kitchen and dining area, and en-suite shower room. Modern electrical appliances such as high-speed Internet, color TV LCD flat screen, and DVD player, to name a few, are among the included luxuries. The serviced apartments are designed to accommodate a single person to a large family traveling on business or leisure and offers long or short term accommodations.

A 24-hour reception service is also provided to assist guests with tourist information, booking theatre tickets and answering any questions. The serviced apartments will also include laundry and room service, housekeeping, and more.

The serviced apartments in Aberdeen City North will be close to major attractions in Aberdeen which have a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment venues. The Aberdeen Railway station allows easy access to Aberdeen City North Apartments. The Aberdeen Airport is also nearby and easily accessible to and from the complex.Apartotels is an experienced serviced apartment provider that has expanded outside the UK to other European cities. Apartotel has taken advantage of a trend that started back when hotel rooms began to increase in price and availability of rooms for some cities became difficult. Leaders in the serviced apartment industry have since taken the business of running corporate guest houses to a whole new level by adding modern convenience, comfort, and flexibility to this age old industry. As a result, serviced apartment providers have combined luxury living with affordability to create a winning product.

With this new addition to the Aberdeen City North complex, Apartotels continues to be one of the experienced providers of serviced apartments in Aberdeen. Apartotels has continually expanded its provisions on serviced apartments so travelers can select from many options and enjoy a comfortable stay in Aberdeen.

Serviced apartments in the UK: a very competitive London market

Serviced apartments are an up and coming industry in London, providing a solution for people looking for somewhere cheaper and more relaxing than a hotel, without the hassle of renting a property long term. Serviced apartments provide more space, privacy and independence than a traditional hotel room.

A large number of business people working in London are only there on short term work placements or projects, or have a home outside of London and commute into the capital during the week. For these people, serviced apartments provide a luxury home from home, which can be more cost effective than staying in a hotel.

In addition, many people visiting London for a short time are looking for a more authentic experience than a hotel can provide. They want the opportunity to live like a Londoner rather than a tourist, and a serviced apartment can give them this experience.

Rapid growth in center of London apartments makes this a competitive industry

Recognizing the demand for high quality serviced apartments in the UK capital, many big name accommodation providers have jumped on the bandwagon, making the serviced apartment industry in central London highly competitive. One example is the Cheval Group, who have spent three years and many millions of pounds restoring and refurbishing their 19th century Kensington based apartments, Hyde Park Gate.

Visitors and business travelers alike expect a lot from serviced apartments in London, and one of the key features needs to be location. Guests want to be within walking distance of the entertainment districts such as the West End, and good bars and restaurants, but they also demand peace and quiet, and easy access to business centers such as Canary Wharf. They also need good transport links to major rail stations or airports.

The other key requirement of a serviced apartment in London is a good standard of renovation and refurbishment. Guests expect a modern and fully equipped bathroom and kitchen, as well as state of the art lifestyle technology such as plasma TVs, wireless internet access, and MP3 player docks. High levels of security are also expected, with most serviced apartment blocks having video entry phones and panic alarms installed as standard.

How do serviced apartments compare with London hotels?

Staying in a serviced apartment can certainly be more cost effective than a hotel, if you are looking for a degree of luxury, and are staying for a longer period of time. Although the average hotel room price in London is around £120 per night, you will pay more than double this for the type of hotel room that would compete with a serviced apartment for luxury and quality. You can book a reasonably good serviced apartment for under £1000 per week, although the really top end ones go for up to £5000.

Many serviced apartment blocks do not have the same facilities as a top hotel in terms of wining and dining, but most are situated within easy reach of high class restaurants and bars. Some have twenty-four hour reception services, gyms and other leisure facilities, but many are purely apartments with a concierge and regular housekeeping services.

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