PwC to anchor One City Park
The Big Four accountancy has agreed terms on around 27,000 sq ft at Muse’s grade A office development in Bradford’s Centenary Square as it looks to build its presence in the city.
All of PwC’s Bradford staff will relocate to the space, across two floors of the building, by June 2024, allowing the firm to build towards 500 employees over the next few years.
The firm opened in Bradford in 2019 with 66 people, and has now grown to more than 180.
One City Park has been built on the former West Yorkshire Police HQ site and features 56,403 sq ft of sustainable and modern workspace.
The building has been delivered by Muse in partnership with Bradford Council, with direct support provided by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership.
PwC’s Bradford office is noted for its high proportion of young employees, the city being chosen, due to the diversity of its population, as the location for PwC’s audit support and managed services functions.
Armoghan Mohammed, regional market lead for the North, PwC UK, said: “One City Park is just one of the fantastic investments we’re seeing in Bradford at the moment. With the City of Culture 2025, the new Brit School for the North, Bradford Live and updated railway networks, the attraction for investment is growing, and the city along with it.
“We first moved to Bradford in 2019 recognising the incredible potential of the city’s young and diverse population. I grew up close to Bradford myself and remember a vibrant and diverse culture and educated population, it was easy to see the enormous opportunity that PwC saw.
“This new office space demonstrates the value and commitment we have in our people, clients and the local community in Bradford, and I’m extremely pleased to see the city also benefitting from the broader recognition and investment.”
Designed by Sheppard Robson, One City Park was completed late in 2023.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council said: “The completion of One City Park and the announcement of PwC as an anchor tenant is a watershed moment for Bradford. Their strategic investment here is a real demonstration of the confidence business has in Bradford and the new growth this will generate.
“One City Park sets off Centenary Square magnificently, complementing our historic City Hall across the mirror pool and beautifully bringing together the heart of the city. PwC as main tenants will bring additional jobs, skills and opportunities to the district for many years to come and we’re proud to have them as a central part of Bradford.
“A huge thanks to Muse and our construction partners for helping us realise this vision and bring the economic transformation of the city, and the district, a big step closer.”
Muse development director Simon Dew added: “This commitment from one of the world’s leading professional services firms is a boost to Bradford’s reputation as a desirable location for businesses to locate, grow and thrive.
“One City Park is part of a new chapter for Bradford, one which tells the story of a progressive, modern city where future generations will choose to live and work, attracted by the opportunity to fulfil their potential here.”
Knight Frank and Colliers are joint agents on One City Park. The building offers five floors of workspace and a roof terrace.