Export House
| Export House | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Office |
| Location | Woking |
| Height | 73 metres |
Export House, known locally as the BAT Building[1][2][3] due to its former tenant British American Tobacco, is the tallest building in Woking and one of the tallest buildings in Surrey.[1] It is 73 metres (240 ft) tall [4] and has 18 stories. It appears as a 3D building on Google Earth. The office blocks covers 102,000,00 sq. ft. (9,479sq.metres).
History
It was part of the first major town centre development in Woking Post-1945 ( Post War). It was built at the same time as the Wolsey Place Shopping Centre, which is part of the same complex. It has been the tallest building in Woking ever since it was completed. The Victoria Way development, if built, will be 2 metres taller than Export House.[5] Construction of Export House finished in 1974 although it was not ready for tenants until 1976.
In 1976 British American Tobacco moved in as the first tenant, making it their HQ. In 1997 it was announced that BAT were relocating to a new building in London.[2] In 2001 Telewest, who had previously occupied the top 6 floors, took over the rest of the building following refurbishment works.[6] However, Telewest left in 2006 after a merger with NTL.[7] It is now occupied by the Mouchel Group PLC[8] who moved from West Hall in nearby West Byfleet. In 2008 Mustang Engineering moved into Export House.[9]
Telewest Era
Telewest moved in to Export House during Summer 2001 after a £15million refurbishment. They rented for £23.50 per sq. ft. They had rented the top six floors for about a year before. Their previous base was in Sheerwater.
Location
The building is located above Wolsey Place Shopping Centre in Woking, Surrey. The entrance is right next to the entrance of Wolsey Place West side/Door. There is also a private, gated car park underneath, as well as a multi-storey car park opposite. It is by Cawsey Way, Woking, Surrey. It is also by Church Street although its address is 'Cawsey Way, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6QX'. The postcode has previously been GU21 5QX and GU21 1YB.
Public Access
The building is sometimes open to the public on Heritage Open Days.[10] The last open day at Export House (As of January 2011) was on Saturday 11 September 2010. Tours last for approximately 30 minutes.
Wildlife
Peregrine Falcons nest on top of the building.[1] These birds are rare, but they are often seen flying around Woking.
References
Notes
- ^ a b c Get Wokingham article Falcons in Export House
- ^ a b Get Surrey article http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/business/s/80095_surrey_loses_600_jobs_as_bat_is_lured_to_london
- ^ Press release from local councillor http://willforster.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/02/22/council-buys-shopping-centre/
- ^ BBC Surrey In pictures: View from the Birdstop of the Hogs Back slide 4 http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/surrey/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8386000/8386719.stm
- ^ Details of Victoria Way development http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=5377
- ^ Telewest takes over Export House- http://www.woking.gov.uk/news/archive?item=0000406C021C.D464FE53.00006BE7.18DB
- ^ Digitalspy article on Telewest move http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a30250/telewests-woking-headquarters-to-close.html
- ^ LSE listing for Mouchel http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary.html?fourWayKey=GB0031696858GBGBXSSMM
- ^ Press release on Mustang office relocation http://www.branch.co.uk/infrastructure-news.html
- ^ Building tours info http://www.wherecanwego.com/search/ViewEvent.aspx?e=379773
Further reading
Crosby, Alan "A History Of Woking" (Phillimore, 2003)