BELFAST’S newest workspace provider Urban HQ says it has seen a significant increase in demand from corporates seeking a more flexible offering for their employees.
Just opened in the iconic Eagle Star House, it has signed up organisations from a variety of industries, including McGarrigle Legal, realTime Recruitment and wealth management firm Charles Stanley.
Jamie McCoubrey, managing director at Urban HQ said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and we're seeing a greater demand from organisations keen to provide a more flexible working environment for employees.
"At 32,000 sq ft, Eagle Star House has presented itself as the perfect location to facilitate a variety of workspace solutions while facilitating social distancing.
“Since announcing the concept we have received huge interest, but this has gone beyond even what we expected in recent months.
"Interest is coming from organisations of varying sizes and from a broad range of sectors so we are delighted we will be opening with such a high occupancy rate and have many more already signed up to move in later this year.”
Urban HQ (www.urban-hq.co.uk) comprises eight separate kitchens and 35 self-contained washroom facilities enabling more than 500 members to space out across the eight floors of the Upper Queen Street property.
The spacious facilities including light-filled meeting rooms, offices, focus rooms, phone booths, central lounge areas, rooftop terrace and a dedicated wellness room.
Claire Nixon, IT recruitment manager at realTime Recruitment, said: “2021 marks our 10th anniversary in Belfast and our move to Urban HQ really signifies the start of our next chapter and is perfect for our evolution.
“With a focus on the IT sector, the best-in-class connectivity at Urban HQ means internet connection speed is something we’ll never have to worry about.
“As an organisation we place great emphasis on collaboration and wellbeing, so the communal areas and member wellbeing initiatives are really appealing to ensure we can support our employees.”
Kieran McGarrigle, principal at McGarrigle Legal, said: “The experience and knowledge of the team at Urban HQ is second to none. They have thought of everything which has made the process very easy.
“We are a boutique commercial firm and felt that the approach and values at Urban HQ were similar to our own, in that clients receive a personal service tailored exactly to their needs.
“The city centre location makes it extremely easy for our team members to commute and also to meet with clients, many of whom are within the vicinity.
“Urban HQ is a different class of flexible workspace for Belfast and is really much more than just a desk or a space to work. There is room for growth, which is extremely appealing as McGarrigle Legal has plans to grow in the next few years.”
Alexandra Price, director of financial planning, Charles Stanley, said: “We have just celebrated our first anniversary in Belfast and are delighted to move into a more permanent base at Urban HQ, which is an amazing flexible space with fantastic facilities, and makes getting back to the office an exciting prospect after working from home for so long.”
