Middlesbrough based freight logistics specialist AV Dawson has announced it will build a new state-of-the-art head office facility at its Port of Middlesbrough site. With an estimated completion date of summer 2021, the new 24,000 sq ft office development forms part of a £10 million, 3 year masterplan recently announced for its recently rebranded Port of Middlesbrough facility.
The new office will be built in the exact location of the original Port of Middlesbrough. During the excavation the sandstone foundations that supported one of the first quays have been discovered. Some of these foundations, which date back to 1838, will be preserved and displayed at the new offices.
The building has been designed with full glass frontage and rooftop terraces with views over the River Tees, whilst the interiors will feature open plan office spaces with colleague break out areas, a gym, private meeting spaces, co-working areas, and training rooms.
When it comes to the top floor of the new offices the business has big plans. This level will incorporate a modern, state-of-the-art conferencing facility and meeting area, with capacity to seat up to 130 guests. The remainder of the top floor will be reserved for a large colleague entertainment area with music room, games area, kitchen, bar and relaxation spaces. Both areas will open on to two large terraces incorporating outdoor entertainment spaces with panoramic views across Middlesbrough and the River Tees.
AV Dawson managing director Gary Dawson said, “After recently announcing the launch of Port of Middlesbrough, our new head office development marks an exciting new chapter for AV Dawson. We wanted to build an office that not only looked modern and striking but also helped us deliver our long-term growth and expansion plans.
“Currently we have several offices across our sites with our teams dispersed across them. The new office gives us the opportunity to bring our teams together, allowing them to work more efficiently and collaboratively. A workspace needs to be functional but also address the needs of our colleagues, after all we do spend a large proportion of our days at work. We have therefore consulted closely with our colleagues to understand their wants and needs and to incorporate this into the office design.
“Although the interior design is still ongoing, emotional health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our minds, this is why we have incorporated break out areas, entertainment spaces, quiet zones and agile working areas. These areas are designed to give colleagues the flexibility that is demanded from a modern office space. We’ve alo considered Covid restrictions in the design by introducing clear vistas and provisions for social distancing.
“This building is not only an investment for our future but a commitment to Middlesbrough and our local community. Our new conferencing facility isn’t solely for our own internal use – we want to engage with local stakeholders to host events and also open it up to local schools and colleges to visit – they will be able to learn about the port’s past, but we can also use this to reinforce the bright future our region has ahead, and the career opportunities available.
“Being a Teesside business, with 96 percent of our colleagues coming from the Tees Valley area, we were keen to procure from local companies wherever we could. This certainly didn’t mean we had to compromise as there are some incredible businesses in our area, leading the way in their individual fields. The design of the building was crucial to get right, this is why we are working closely with two talented Middlesbrough based design businesses. We employed the architectural services of C A Ross Designs to design the main structure of the building and commercial interior design specialists Cocoon & Bauer to bring the interiors to life.
AV Dawson’s new head office is expected to open in Summer 2021. Progress of the build can be monitored at PortofMiddlesbrough.com