Anthony Phillips

Having previously advised Centrica (British Gas) on their office relocation to No 4 Callaghan Square, this investment was being tracked long before it came to the open market.  Comprising 111,000 sq ft of modern, prime, Grade A office accommodation, the investment was acquired for National Grid UK Pension Scheme for £22.6 million reflecting a net initial yield of 8.51%.  No 3 Callaghan Square is multi let and No 4 is single let to GB Gas Holdings Ltd.

Anthony advised British Gas on the relocation of their Cardiff headquarters to No 4 Callaghan Square.  Comprising 68,335 sq ft of modern Grade A office space, the building offered the best quality city centre accommodation available.  The Tenant took a new 15 year lease with a 10 year break at a headline rent of £17.50 per sq ft and received a 14 month rent free period with a staggered handover.  Anthony also advised British Gas on the simultaneous sale of their previous headquarters at Helmont House, Cardiff comprising 150,000 sq ft to Rightacres.

ÔÇ£Anthony is one of a very few property advisors who, first of all, endeavours to understand the clients business model and aspiration.┬á Having absorbed this information his advice is then always concise, appropriate and targeted to the matter in hand to achieve the desired end result.┬á The property industry needs more advisors like him.”

Acquired on behalf of Clerical Medical from the WDA, the estate comprised over 300 acres with 40 acres of development land and over 350,000 sq ft of buildings and is one of the most important industrial estates in South Wales.  Anthony was instrumental in the acquisition of the investment for £10.8 million in 1998.  In 2003 he advised on the selling off of 18 acres of the vacant land for residential development for over £9 million.  In 2004 he negotiated a WEFO grant of £1.5 million and advised on the subsequent speculative development of 65,000 sq ft of new industrial units completed in 2006.  Anthony has provided  Asset Management advice on refurbishment, redevelopment, lease re-gearing and agency matters since acquisition up to the present date during which time the rent roll has nearly doubled to close to £1.9 million pa.

This leading and visionary firm of Solicitors in Cardiff had a clear idea that they wanted something more than just a functional and operational new office building.  A wide range of options were considered and analysed from development sites to refurbishing grand old dilapidated properties.  A deal was finally struck to renovate 19,300 sq ft of this vacant office building creating an exciting and vibrant interior than is possibly unequalled in the Cardiff office market.

ÔÇ£Anthony’s pro-active approach and market knowledge made a significant contribution to increasing income and value at a multi-let office investment in Cardiff. This has been an ongoing initiative over a number of years and we look forward to working with Anthony in the future.ÔÇØ

Anthony negotiated a surrender from Natwest who had previously vacated the South Building and advised on the refurbishment to provide modern office accommodation and subsequent reletting of this building. This provided an enhanced asset value for the client Invista.  Anthony has been retained to provide on-going asset management and letting advice.

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of wheelchairs and medical aids, Invacare occupied out dated premises in Bridgend and Treforest on three separate and long leases. ┬áAnthony negotiated the surrender of these leases and the simultaneous acquisition of a modern 150,000 sq ft industrial property at the former Sony headquarters in Pencoed, Bridgend. The key throughout was keeping the client fully informed and advised whilst co-ordinating four separate transactions to dovetail together in new premises.

“We worked with Anthony Phillips because we wanted the best advice on how to structure a┬árelocation┬ádeal for┬áour head office.
Anthony gained the full confidence of the board, with his professional approach and excellent understanding of the local market.
He focused our attentions on the most suitable premises and negotiated a package that worked out better than we could have hoped.
We are absolutely delighted with the end result.”

Acting on behalf of Sydney & Cardiff Ltd this investment was acquired from Invista Real Estate Management Ltd.  Comprising 44,000 sq ft of prime city centre air conditioned offices, the buildings are let to Geldards solicitors and DTZ surveyors.  Retained to provide on-going Asset Management advice.