Highcross has began work on its £13.8 million refurbishment of the landmark 1000 Lakeside North Harbour building in Portsmouth. Due for completion in January 2008, the prestigious development is being marketed as a single corporate headquarters building or highly flexible accommodation for a range of businesses.

A stunning new full height glazed atrium is currently under construction, which will form the centrepiece of the building. Located on the 101-acre Lakeside North Harbour office campus, 1000 Lakeside is set within extensively landscaped grounds, adjacent to Junction 12 of the M27.

The development is being designed to provide the maximum flexibility for businesses, with high quality office suites from 3,000sq ft to 72,000sq ft, plus managed office solutions. The impressive 285,846sq ft building will also be available to let as a whole.

Nick Turner of Highcross comments: "1000 Lakeside, with its highly visible location, next to the motorway and at the entrance to Portsmouth, will provide vibrant, high quality and flexible office space for businesses of all sizes from start ups requiring managed office solutions to companies seeking high quality headquarters accommodation. The new atrium will create a striking new focal point for the building, which will significantly enhance the value and attraction of this prestigious business park."

Martin Tice, of Vail Williams added: "The office accommodation at 1000 Lakeside will be among the most prestigious ever delivered to the Portsmouth area on a speculative basis. With a current shortage of high quality office space in the Portsmouth market, this will be the only built option for companies seeking 15,000 sq ft plus."

Fully air-conditioned, the high quality four-floor office building, overlooks the lake and has 984 car parking spaces. Each floor will provide around 72,000sq ft of accommodation that will be available to let as a whole, or sub-divided to meet requirements. The building refurbishment includes new suspended ceilings, recessed lighting and carpets throughout.

Connected to the atrium at ground floor level, will be a café bar and kiosk for staff, as well as meeting rooms and conference facilities. On the ground floor, the office accommodation will be offered on a flexible basis, from small, managed office solutions to suites of around 3,000 sq ft upwards available on a conventional leasing basis.

Highcross purchased the North Harbour campus in December 2005, as part of a sale and leaseback of a portfolio of four IBM facilities in the UK. The development has direct access to the M27 and M275 and is located approximately three miles from Portsmouth city centre and ferry port. Close to retailing and leisure facilities at Port Solent, the site includes more than 600,000sq ft of office accommodation set within mature landscaping.

Agents for the scheme are Knight Frank and Vail Williams