Microsoft is believed to have spent about £40m fitting out its new European research headquarters in Cambridge.
The software giant says details of the cost of the fitout remain confidential, but sources close to the deal believe it to be a similar level to the cost of construction of the building. It signed a £37m deal in 2011.
Microsoft moved into its 84,000 sq ft building last month on Brookgate’s CB1 scheme, by Cambridge train tation.
The interior of the building has been shrouded in secrecy as the company sought to protect sensitive work done by the research team, but Estates Gazette was allowed to take the first cameras around the new space.
The prelet to Microsoft was the largest regional deal of 2011.
Brookgate chief executive Sven Töpel said: “It was a long deal, a three year deal and a very complicated deal, but it gave them what they wanted which was to be in the heart of the city.”
The discussion to move Microsoft from the science park to the city centre was ‘difficult,’ he added: “Their staff where used to a sea of carparking….they went from 200 car spaces to 300 cycles spaces so it was definitely a transition for them.”
nadia.elghamry@estatesgazette.com
