RETIREMENT developer McCarthy and Stone is to move from one of Bournemouth’s most prominent office buildings to another.

The company is set to move into the fourth floor of 100 Holdenhurst Road – previously home to Abbey Life – by the end of the year as its lease on its Homelife House HQ comes to an end.

Property consultancy JLL brokered a deal to let the 21,050sq feet of space at Holdenhurst Road on a 10-year lease, which will mean the building there will be fully occupied.

JLL let the 23,429sq feet third floor to insurer Arthur J Gallagher at the end of last year.

Eleanor Hussey, senior surveyor at JLL, said: “This is the second letting in less than a year for 100 Holdenhurst Road, signalling renewed confidence in the market.

“Interest in this contemporary commercial building has remained high even through the recession, particularly as it’s the only facility the town has to offer with such large floor plates.”

David Cowling, partner in Cowling and West, which represented the tenant in the negotiations, said: “This letting removes a sizeable proportion of the available quality office stock in the town. Bournemouth is growing short of good quality office space, although rents will need to rise significantly before any new development can be justified.”

Gary Day, executive land and planning director at McCarthy and Stone, said: “100 Holdenhurst Road is exactly what we were looking for in terms of space, location and quality of accommodation and facilities.

“It enables our head office to remain in a prestigious building in central Bournemouth, close to our current office and readily accessible for staff and visitors.

“The new office signifies a statement of intent as we continue to grow our business, and presents an opportunity for our head office staff to work more collaboratively in a modern office environment.”

A spokesman added that Homelife House’s lease was expiring in December and that the building ‘has not been best fit for purpose’ over the last couple of years.

A statement added: “The improved layout of the new building allows the team to work together more efficiently on one floor as we continue to grow our business to help achieve our planned investment in land and build of £2bn over the next four years.”