Avanta – a short history 

October 2009 - Avanta annouced it was expanding its central London portfolio to 12 serviced office centres by taking over the former MLS business centre at 26 Dover Street. The 8000 sq ft period property, complete with clients, just off London's Piccadilly, is on a seven year management agreement with Investec Bank.

 

A new partnership was also formed with specialist cloud computing company ThinkGrid , which enabled SMEs and small businesses moving into the serviced office to lower capital investment in IT hardware and software. ThinkGrid provides companies with hosted business IT services from the cloud, on an on-demand basis, which enables businesses to access their software from any computer with an internet connection whilst eliminating costs for servers and software licenses.

 

To further enhance the range of support services that Avanta provides to clients, the company linked up with major secretarial services provider Virtual City PA . Avanta clients that require administrative, secretarial and office management support can now book these services on-line through Virtual City PA, which offers a range of personal assistant and secretarial services that can be tailored to a clients’ individual needs.

 

September 2009 - As part of Avanta's online marketing campaign, the company set up the online community Avanta Exchange . The community is dedicated to SMEs and allows businesses to interact with each other by sharing information, collaborating ideas and keeping up to date with the latest developments. You can now also follow Avanta on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

To satisfy demand for one-person office enquiries at its business centre in Reading, Avanta launches a new cost saving shared-office facility.

 

More than £10,000 was raised for Sparks - The Children's Charity at the 3rd annual Sparks Race Day at Kempton Park on 21 September.

 

August 2009 - Avanta hosted its first ever client focus group in August designed to help identify products that would boost its clients’ success. The focus group was held at Avanta’s Vanilla Bar & Restaurant in London’s West End. Gaining client feedback on potential new products before they were introduced meant that Avanta were able to provide new services that the clients would benefit from most.

 

UK-based web broker Instant Offices was declared the winner of a sales contest to support Avanta’s three serviced offices in India. The web broker was awarded with a week long all expenses paid trip to India, sponsored by Avanta. The contest, which ran between Nov 2008 and Apr 2009, asked brokers to close as many deals as possible during the 6 month period for the three Avanta India facilities and the competition was the first of its kind within the service office industry.

 

July 2009 - To help satisfy demand from businesses looking to expand their operations on the other side of the Atlantic, Avanta Managed Offices annouced its partnership with US-based Regent Business Centers. The new partnership gives both companies the opportunity to expand their networks and offer a wider range of serviced office locations, products and services to clients. Regent Business Centers operates 13 business centres in New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

 

Avanta rushed to the aid of Soho businesses after a building in Dean Street went up in flames on Friday 10 July. Avanta was able to provide flexible workspace for two companies (more than 50 workers) at its centre in Regent Street first thing on Monday morning.

 

Avanta Austin Friars was the venue of an informal breakfast hosted by Justin Urquhart Stewart about 'succeeding in a perfect storm'. He explained that although a period of 'Volatile Inflation Lower Earnings' (VILE) had replaces the NICE years (No Inflation Creates Earnings). he felt that a period of financial freefall had been replaced to falling with a parachute.

 

In an effort to reduce business start up costs for entrepreneurs during the recession, Avanta began offering a 20% discount on all serviced office space and on-demand meeting rooms to all members of Entrepreneur Country, the networking community for entrepreneurs set up by Ariadne Capital. 

 

June 2009 - Harrow -based client Xprint urges local businesses to put the X-factor into recycling. An increase in demand for eco-friendly remanufactured printer cartridges has seen some of the UK’s leading recyclers of ink jet and laser toner cartridges to act more responsibly before throwing away old cartridges.

 

Avanta’s Capital Place business centre at Heathrow has proven to be the perfect location for Hindi film-makers, Idream Productions who were looking for a high-quality business centre in which to shoot their latest drama. Famous for films such as ‘Bend it like Beckham’ and ‘Monsoon Wedding’, in India, Idream is a leading Indian film production company which markets its films at festivals around the world.

 

One of the UK’s fastest growing exponents of TV, advertising and promotional films have relocated their business to Harrow as part of a major cost saving exercise. Film-makers, Feering Productions, have moved into the Avanta business centre on College Road after previously being based in Hertfordshire for five years.

 

Employees from Hammersmith-based Avanta Managed Offices are planning to take part in a 5.6 Km race to help raise funds for the UK’s leading children’s medical research charity, Sparks, as part of the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge 2009. “Our team is made up of ten people from across our 18 business centres,” comments Anna Haslam, Avanta’s marketing manager, who will be leading the team when the race starts in Battersea Park at 6.45pm on the evening of Thursday 9th July. “We are really looking forward to this event as we’ve got a really enthusiastic team taking part and are hoping to raise over £1,000 for Sparks.”

 

May 2009 - A recent survey carried out by Avanta claims that serviced office space is no longer seen as a short term solution to workspace requirements. The length of client tenure is constantly increasing and this is being driven by demand from small and medium-sized enterprises for heightened levels of flexibility, cutting edge technology, customer service and, above all else, outstanding value for money. During the past six months there has been a 46% increase in the number of clients signing at Avanta for one year.

 

Avanta sets Sparks flying at charity race day launch party. Avanta set the scene for the 2009 Sparks Race Day to be held at Kempton Park on the 21st September 2009, by holding a charity auction at the Vanilla bar and Restaurant. The event was attended by more than 80 guests, including celebrity guests Mike Cattermole, Channel 4 racing commentator; former England rugby captain Roger Uttley and the “voice of horse racing” Sir Peter O’Sullevan. Sparks is the leading children’s medical research charity, whose sole remit is to fund research across the whole spectrum of paediatric medicine.

Avanta and Think London extend free office space to foreign investors in the City of London. The Touchdown London initiative scheme which offers free office space to International companies looking to set up in London, has been extended to include the recently opened Avanta centre in Devonshire Square .

 

Avanta is shortlisted for Employer of the Year Award. As a result of it’s commitment to highest levels of employee satisfaction, training and work ethics, Avanta have been shortlisted in the South of England final of the “Employer of the Year Award” at the National Business Awards. Winners will be unveiled at a glittering gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London on 14th July.

 

April 2009. The latest results of an independent survey of companies have shown Avanta to have further improved its levels of customer service. Avanta commissions Accelerator Solutions Ltd to undertake regular surveys of companies based across its portfolio of business centres . The latest survey took place between October 2008 and March 2009, receiving responses from 142 companies. The top three reasons why clients initially chose to base their business at an Avanta were location, quality of workspace and value for money. However, the survey revealed that once established in the workplace, it is the attitude and quality of service support from the Avanta team which makes the real difference to their business.

 

Avanta provides a location for local students to study for GCSE exams. The Media Village located at 131 – 151 Great Titchfield Street will play host to The Charter School, a foundation school in South London. Avanta will provide the pupils with meeting room facilities where they will undergo a revision and preparation day for this summer’s GCSE examinations.

March 2009. Avanta has been recognised in a prestigious national poll as one of the UK’s small best companies to work for. Avanta were ranked 61 out of 100 in The Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work For, alongside the UK’s leading small business spanning a broad cross section of industries.

International companies looking to relocate or set up business in London are to be offered free office space at Avanta as part of an initiative to boost the capital’s economy and encourage investment. Avanta has supported Think London and the touchdown initiative for 2 years but now offer international companies free serviced office space for 12 months at 3 of its London business centres; 20 Hanover Square and 1 Lyric Square . In addition to free serviced office space Avanta is also offering a 25% discount to new international business across all London business centres. This new offer was launched at MIPIM by London mayor Boris Johnson.

February 2009. Avanta announce their support for the annual Croydon Charity Ball fund raiser. Avanta is supporting the charity ball which hopes to raise £50,000 for worthwhile causes across Croydon and the children’s charity Sparks. This year’s prestigious event will take place in a marquee on the pitch at Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace Football Club. Other sponsors of the event include Barclays and Mondial Assistance.

 

January 2009. A long standing supporter for Sparks, Avanta was a sponsor for the Sparks annual Winter Ball in which they helped raise almost £150,000. Avanta expand its growing portfolio by launching a new City business centre. Around 130 people attended a lunchtime reception at the new 29,000 sq ft business centre in Devonshire Square . The renovated building was previously an East India Company spice warehouse, and in honour of its heritage, guests were treated to a curry lunch.

Avanta expanded its India operations by launching two business centres in Mumbai. Avanta launched Oval House in Fort and Platina in Bandra Kurla complex. Oval House is located in the main business district of Mumbai, next to the Stock Exchange at Fort, and Platina is located at the Bandra Kurla Complex , which is fast becoming one of Mumbai’s most prestigious business addresses.

Avanta Austin Friars played host to BBC2’s Million Dollar Traders series, which was aired throughout 3 weeks in January. The programme gives eight ordinary individuals a million dollars and a fortnight’s intensive training to help prepare them to launch their own hedge funds to try and make a fortune in the stocks and shares market.

 

December 2008. Avanta reflects on the year’s growth and expansion, which has seen the opening of 8 new business centres across London and the UK, the international expansion of its operations in India and the strengthening of its Senior Management Team. Despite the challenging economic climate, Avanta has maintained its strategy of growth and expansion. The company has seen a recruitment drive in which a dedicated team of over 20 people have been recruited to implement the expansion drive which will continue in 2009.

November 2008. Avanta celebrated the opening of its latest business centre, Saunders House , Ealing with a sparkling reception, giving guests every reason to remember, remember the 5th of November. It is the 6th new business centre to open in the UK this year, continuing the company’s strategy of expanding across London and key regional locations.

October 2008. Avanta signed a deal with owners Rockpoint Europe to let 29,000 sq ft of prime office space over two floors on the Devonshire Square Estate, London EC2 opposite Liverpool St Station, its second city building. Notable occupiers include Aon, Societe Generale, Standard Life and Hammonds.

Avanta announces a partnership with the United States’ leading provider of virtual office support applications Davinici , to make their unique package of services available to UK businesses for the first time. Davinci Virtual delivers virtual office solutions to over 4000 companies across all 50 states of America, Canada and Central America. This is the first partnership arrangement with a UK company which introduces their product to this market.

 

September 2008. Avanta establishes a new specialist team in India to facilitate the company’s ambitious expansion drive into this new market. The London-based company has embarked on a major recruitment drive and has built a team of 20 full time people who will be based across Avanta’s new business centres in India. Avanta also launches the first of its serviced office centres in India at Statesman House , Connaught Place, New Delhi, India. The building is ideally located in New Delhi's prime business district, half-an-hour from the domestic and international airports and a short distance from the railway station. The main shopping area of Connaught Place is on the doorstep, along with a variety of restaurants and bars.

 

Avanta launches its ‘Switch it Off’ campaign where occupiers are encouraged to switch off all electrical appliances such as computers, photocopiers, fax machines and lighting at night and over the weekend to save on energy levels and work on becoming more environmentally friendly.

 

Avanta sponsored the annual Sparks Race Day where over 200 people from the property industry descended on Kempton Park and helped raise £15,000 for Sparks Children’s Charity. Guests were joined by a host of stars from the world of sport, including England rugby legend and most capped English player in history, Jason Leonard and England winger, Dan Scarborough, snooker great John Virgo, TV racing experts Mike Cattermole and Nigel Seeley.

 

The event was supported by a wide range of companies including Kenmore, Instant Offices and Colliers CRE. In addition to a packed afternoon’s racing and networking, guests enjoyed a champagne reception and lunch, and had an opportunity to bid for star prizes in an auction hosted by Charlie Ross. Lots included a luxury holiday in Barbados, a day at the races with the Channel 4 Racing team and dinner with Sir Steven Redgrave.

August 2008. Avanta has signed on Saunders House , 52-53 The Mall, Ealing Broadway, West London which will enable the company to deliver over 16,700 sq ft of prime office space across four floorsAvanta signs a five year lease on 20 Hanover Square . The Grade 2 listed building will provide 20,000 sq ft of office space over four floors, and adjoins 18 Hanover Square, which Avanta already operates 20,000 sq ft as a serviced office business centre.September 2008. Avanta launches 21,000 sq ft Statesman House , first business centre in New Delhi. Over 100 people attended the event which included a comedian and dancers. Statesman House is situated within Delhi’s prime business district, half an hour form the domestic and international airports and just a short distance from the railway station.

July 2008. England rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, the country’s most capped player of all time, has pledged his support, along with one of racing’s all-time greats, Richard Dunwoody MBE to the Sparks Race Day, sponsored by Avanta. Both personalities will be attending the event, with more big names expected to be confirmed ahead of the date.

 

June 2008. Avanta signs two leases on buildings in the centre of Delhi as it embarks on a major expansion drive into the Indian market.

 

Serviced office company Avanta has opened its first business centre in Scotland. Based in the heart of Edinburgh, the 8,000 sq ft building on Hanover Street , offers prime serviced office space for organisations looking for high quality, competitively priced managed business space in the heart of Scotland’s capital city

 

Avanta makes a statement of intent with its commitment to customer service by becoming the first serviced office company in the UK to join the ICS (Institute of Customer Service). The ICS is the independent professional body for customer service, setting the benchmark for standards of excellence in customer service levels and recognising organisations ranging from local authorities to blue chip companies, who can demonstrate that they work to these stringent standards.

 

May 2008. Avanta officially opens its latest business centre, the 51,000 sq ft Capital Place building on the A4 Bath Road, opposite Heathrow Airport. Situated directly opposite the world’s busiest international airport and between junctions 3 and 4 of the M4, Capital Place also enjoys excellent public transport links such as the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly Line underground services from Hatton Cross. Occupiers in the building will also be able to enjoy fresh coffee to kick-start their day, courtesy of a café situated close to the building’s reception.

 

Avanta also launches its business centre in Harrow . Over 100 guests attended the official opening of the centre at 79 College Road, Harrow, which provides 43,000 sq ft of high quality office space. The newly refurbished building is situated in a prominent position in Harrow, on the south side of College Road, immediately adjacent to the entrance to Harrow on the Hill bus station terminal. It has the additional benefit of multi-story parking facilities adjacent to the rail station and a short distance to the town’s local amenities.

 

Avanta appoints Sean Morgan to head up its international expansion strategy. Sean joins Avanta from Regus, where he was Operations Director for Regus in its Asia Pacific Region and more recently looking after its India operations. He takes up the position of Managing Director of Middle East and India for Avanta. He will work closely alongside Chief Executive David Alberto, who has spent a year building relationships and developing opportunities in these new markets.

April 2008. Avanta launches Grove House based in the heart of the West End, 2 Orange Street, W2, offering over 15,000 sq ft of prime serviced office space over five floors. Grove House is a modern serviced office centre that places you right in the heart of London, close to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Whitehall and the Strand. There are 5 floors of modern, furnished office space, with an impressive reception and basement parking. Avanta also launches a new look easy to use website which aims to give browsers faster and more user-friendly access to the key information on the business centres, virtual office and meeting and training room facilities offered by the company.

March 2008. Avanta unveils its latest building at MIPIM (Europe’s Largest property event); Grove House, Orange Street , in the heart of London’s West End. Stars from sport and the screen joined Avanta on board their yacht during MIPIM to celebrate the launch of the Avanta Race Day due to take place at renowned race course, Kempton Park, in England on 22nd September 2008.

January 2008. Avanta opens new business centre Royal Mills , Ancoats Urban Village. The company also acquires an 8,800 sq ft office building in Edinburgh City centre from Fidra Investments Limited for £1.85 million, which it will operate as a serviced office. The building is based on Hanover Street in the City centre, a five minute walk from Waverley train station and St Andrew Square bus terminal. The main shopping area of Princes Street is on the doorstep, along with the many bars and shops on George Street. Avanta acquires Capital Place office building on the A4 Bath Road, opposite Heathrow Airport , for £12.2 million from Capital & Counties.

December 2007. Avanta has acquired a 9,000 sq ft office development at Royal Mills , Ancoats Urban Village, Manchester, close to the City’s cosmopolitan Northern Quarter. The building is owned by Kenmore Property Group and enjoys a prime city centre location, in close proximity to key retail, commercial and nightlife zones, whilst situated on the doorstep of the transport hubs of Piccadilly and Victoria stations. The building is also adjacent to the inner ring road, with fast motorway access.

October 2007. The company launches another first for the serviced office sector, the Avanta Concierge Service , a unique new offer for clients across all Avanta’s business centres which enables them to be a phone-call away from a dedicated helpdesk who are available round-the-clock to meet clients’ everyday needs.

September 2007. Avanta held its first race day in September at Kempton Park and, with the help of sponsors, celebrities and guests raised over £30,000 for the children’s charity SPARKS. SPARKS supports medical research into a wide range of conditions that threaten or limit children’s lives.

August 2007. Avanta extends its serviced office presence to the City by opening 23 Austin Friars . This prestigious business centre in London EC2 combines an elegant 19th century façade with a spectacular new build interior that houses extensive serviced offices and meeting and training rooms. Set in one of the City’s finest locations it’s part of a powerful axis of Avanta service office centres that now extends across London.

July 2007. Hot on the heels of the Regent Street Business centre comes Avanta’s second serviced office development outside of the capital.

June 2007. Avanta opens further serviced offices in London W1, in Regent Street . Overlooking Oxford Circus, the Regent Street serviced office centre provides Avanta’s customary high quality accommodation and services; as well as meeting and training rooms that are a few seconds’ walk from one of London Underground’s most important hubs - where the Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines intersect.

January 2007. Dukesbridge House is acquired in the prime centre of Reading. This is Avanta’s first move outside of London, giving them serviced offices in Reading RG1. Meeting and training rooms will also feature in the Reading business centre , which is located in a quiet street, overlooking the river and a minute’s walk from Reading’s Oracle shopping and entertainment complex.

November 2006. Avanta acquires the remaining 5 floors of 1 Hammersmith Grove , thereby expanding its serviced offices in London W6. The centre also provides popular meeting and training rooms close to Heathrow and is the hub of Avanta’s virtual office operations, housing dedicated virtual PAs who answer calls to virtual office clients’ dedicated numbers.

January 2006. Avanta acquires 31 Southampton Row on a 15 year lease, to provide serviced offices in Holborn , London WC1. This period building opened in June 2006, with fully refurbished serviced offices and meeting rooms overlooking the cafes of Sicilian Avenue. Holborn tube station is close to the Southampton Row business centre, providing fast links to the city, the West End and Heathrow.

December 2005. Avanta acquired 18 Hanover Square , an elegant 6 storey Mayfair building in one of London’s most prestigious business locations. It was refitted to a high standard as serviced offices, complete with meeting and training rooms, and opened in March 2006. Interest in this highly desirable Mayfair business centre was high from the start and remains so today in this attractive corner of London W1, close to Regent Street. were incorporated into the Victoria business centre and subsequently into all others. It also serves as a popular

November 2005. 48 Charlotte Street acquired freehold and transformed into quality serviced offices in London W1 , amongst the cosmopolitan shops and restaurants of Charlotte Street, W1. The business centre’s location is also know as “Noho” which for many years has been a popular district with London’s arts, media and music community.

September 2005. Avanta acquired 6 out of 11 floors at 1 Hammersmith Grove on a 15 year lease. These modern serviced offices in London W6 overlook Lyric Square in Hammersmith’s bustling thoroughfare. Close by is Hammersmith tube station which links directly to Central London and Heathrow via the Piccadilly line.

July 2005. 10 Margaret Street acquired on a 10 year lease to provide a further 9,500 sq feet of London W1 office space. The serviced office building is full of quaint period features, which were retained during the refurbishment process. The result is a distinctive business centre in London W1 that’s especially popular with media, recruitment and technology companies.

June 2004. Avanta acquires a 15 year lease on 131-151 Gt Titchfield Street, known as Media Village , to create serviced offices in London W1. This business centre is a creative hotbed for music, media, fashion and technology companies and provides a variety of suites and large offices, as well as meeting and training rooms. The business centre also includes Avanta’s private members club , which is a complementary bonus to all Avanta clients.

May 2004. 83 Victoria Street acquired freehold for development as serviced offices in London SW1. The first serviced office phase opened in December 2004, with phase two ready in October 2005. High quality meeting and training roomsvirtual office base for many clients. Serviced office occupants now include oil companies and government departments.

April 2004. First management contract won, to run the development and letting of “The Space” serviced offices in London W1. This central London business centre proved very popular and the serviced offices – from entire floors to executive suites – were soon fully occupied.

January 2004. Avanta founded by executives with extensive business centre / serviced office sector experience. Avanta’s mission: to acquire buildings and convert them into quality serviced offices with excellent facilities, including meeting and training rooms and virtual offices .