Just Eat has moved into one of the North East’s most prestigious new office spaces.
The UK’s leading rapid delivery app has relocated to 18,000 sq ft of office space at Maker, one of two new L&G-backed office buildings at Riverside Sunderland.
A three-month fit-out has transformed the space into a vibrant customer service hub, which will become the new workplace for Just Eat’s Sunderland team. The company has signed a 10-year lease, taking the entire fifth floor of Maker, along with part of the fourth floor and a terrace boasting views over the River Wear and out to sea.
Just Eat’s Regional Operations Director, Kirsti McKernan, said the new office exceeded expectations.
She said: “It's great to be kicking off the New Year in our vibrant new space at Maker. Colleagues are particularly enjoying the views over the River Wear and easy access to all the city-centre has to offer. We're looking forward to seeing the development continue to grow.”
Just Eat arrived in the North East in 2021, and research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows the company contributes £20.8m to the Sunderland economy through its city operations. It supports a further £31.7m of value through supply chains and employee spending in the wider economy.
Development manager Landid has overseen the design and construction of the buildings on behalf of global institutional investor L&G. The offices form part of a £100m commitment L&G has made to Riverside Sunderland.
James Silver, Managing Director at Landid, said: “It’s wonderful to see Maker in use and to see the space transformed into a vibrant new hub for Just Eat.
“Maker occupies a prime position on the banks of the Wear, with incredible views, but seeing the interior so spectacularly transformed by Just Eat means the office now matches the outstanding cityscape it overlooks. It is a stunning workspace that offers access to city-centre amenities, ensuring Just Eat’s employees can enjoy a brilliant lifestyle too.”
Maker and its sister building, Faber, were designed by North East firm Ryder, with a strong commitment to using local skills and materials wherever possible. The buildings sit at the heart of Riverside Sunderland, widely regarded as one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration schemes.
The regeneration of the area has been led by Sunderland City Council, working with private-sector partners to deliver transformational change to a previously dormant part of the city centre. Maker & Faber are among several schemes progressing on site, alongside Culture House, Vaux Housing and the Eye Hospital, all of which are nearing completion.
Councillor Kevin Johnston, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Regeneration and Business at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are proud, as a local authority, to build strong partnerships with the private sector that allow us to support businesses as they grow. We have worked closely with Just Eat for a number of years, securing their move to the city and supporting the growth of a fantastic team.
“To see them take space in a building at the heart of a development we have driven with such ambition and energy is incredibly rewarding.”
Maker & Faber’s joint agents, JLL and Knight Frank, secured the deal with Just Eat. To enquire about available space, contact Patrick Matheson or Nathan Douglas at Knight Frank ([email protected] or [email protected]), or Sam Jamieson or Nick Gibby at JLL ([email protected] or [email protected]).
To find out more about the Maker and Faber development, visit www.makerfaber.co.uk or follow @makerandfaber on social media.