A GRADE II listed building has been completely overhauled following a £32m regeneration project, making for some of the most stunning views from an office in town.
The new home of the AA, Basing View's PLANT has been extensively refurbished to feature hanging gardens and a variety of modern features, in the hope to become "the office core of the town."
Business leaders from across the town were given a tour of the building in the morning of Thursday, October 24, as part of a pre-conference networking event hosted by South Coast CPS.
Hugo Denee, of Longstock Capital, explained that the renovation has been a "five-year project."
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He said: "We have created something that is really quite special, Basingstoke definitely has nothing like this.
"Location-wise, this is halfway between the South Coast and London, so it's in a good catchment area where it is not far from the shopping centre and other amenities - Basing view is in the best location as it is just three miles from the motorway, it's right near the station and right near the town.
"It has been an unloved area but is strategically in a great spot. It is arguably the best building in the M3 corridor "
The building will feature a number of modern and unique facilities, including the registered park and hanging gardens, food from local providers The Yard, 77 electric vehicle charging points, and underground car park, shower blocks and there will even be a gym class.
SEE MORE: '£30m regeneration of incredible building and garden puts buzz back into Basing View'
Hugo said: "It provides everything people want from a modern office, the office market is changing, we are ending up with less offices but people want the best.
"I think this will become the office core of the town."
PLANT, in Mountbatten House, was built in 1976 to be the former Wiggins Teape commercial headquarters and in it's time has homed IBM and weapons manufacturer Thales, but has "never been open to the public," Hugo explained.
He added: "People never really came into this building, lots of private businesses used the space."
Hugo explained how he "tried to make a really green building," and was able to utilise some of the features from the original building.
"All water gets collected and used in a sprinkler system which is actually one of the original features from the original designer.
"The aluminium panels are original, they are 50 years old but they all look brand new.
"There are a total of 28,000 plants in the park and gardens."
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