Portland House secures 12-year lease with international tech firm

The UK headquarters of Ezoic UK Ltd will be based at Portland House from next month after the firm signed a 12-year lease on over 8,000 sq.ft of space within the first floor of the eco-friendly workplace.

Ezoic develops AI technology for digital publishers that improves usability and content discovery while maximizing income from online advertising.

Following its multi-million pound refurbishment, Portland House has attracted a variety of businesses including commercial property consultancy Eddisons, maritime and international trade solicitors Mills & Co, barristers Parklane Plowden and recruitment firm Central Employment.

The building’s new tenants are benefitting from the investment made by developers James Keegan and Oliver Holland, to make Portland House one of the region’s most modern and sustainable workspaces.

The latest letting also comes just weeks after it was announced that wealth managers Raymond James, Monument have also chosen to relocate to Portland House after taking a lease on 1,500 sq. ft of office space.

Mike McGuire, UK managing director at Ezoic, which is relocating from the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead, said: “Ezoic UK Ltd is thrilled to have secured space in this amazing building, from which we can continue to grow and develop our AI technology, while retaining and attracting the very best talent.

“The whole city is buzzing, but with its ongoing and further planned developments, this particular area is the perfect choice. The building’s heritage and history, blended with the sensitive, eco-conscious and efficient restoration, along with its central location, make this an incredible space for Ezoic team members to work and socialise, with gyms, culture, retail and dining opportunities literally on the doorstep.

“Newcastle is a truly vibrant city, becoming increasingly important as a UK tech hub, and we’re delighted to be a part of that buzz!”

The workspaces at Portland House boast sustainable features such as carbon-neutral flooring, motion-sensor LED lighting to prevent unnecessary use, a cooling system using only fresh rather than recycled air, and walls manufactured by Earthborn, the UK’s first license holder of the EU EcoLabel for environmental excellence. Even the sinks are eco-friendly, made of 100 percent waterproof solid wood composite, a material with a significantly lower lifetime carbon footprint compared to traditional ceramic and stone bathroom fixtures.

The revamp of Portland House was also designed with business continuity in mind, and upon opening was the only office building in Newcastle with uninterruptible emergency power provision that will kick into life the moment there’s a mains failure.

One of developers behind the transformation of Portland House, James Keegan said: “It is great feedback for us that the investment made into the building’s environmental and efficiency credentials are a big part of its attraction for firms of all kinds.

“We firmly believe in taking environmental responsibility through refurbishing outdated buildings. In taking this approach, we avoid releasing significant embodied carbon whilst still creating an exceptional office environment, as demonstrated at Portland House.

Among the other features of the building in the heart of the East Pilgrim Street regeneration area are electric car charging stations, a bike repair unit to help with safer commutes, a drying room, hotel-standard showers with hairdryers and vanity stations. The building’s phone app enables occupiers to order food deliveries from local vendors, book workplace services including dry cleaning, a pop-up manicure or desk massage, and organise visitor management via unique QR codes to ensure site security at all times.