A luxury serviced office and business members’ club – with meeting facilities available to hire – is being revered as the first project of its kind in West Yorkshire. The scheme is set to open in early summer 2020, following £450,000-worth of investment and six months of renovation work.

Empire House is a Victorian, 6,000 sq. ft. building, dating back to 1892, in Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire. Originally a town hall – complete with underground air-raid shelter – the property has undergone many uses in its 128-year history, most recently as an office space for fashion exhibition organisers, Moda ITE.

Now, it is being renovated as a luxury workspace, offering 13 offices, ranging in size from 1-person to 10-person occupancies, alongside a business members’ club, which welcomes individuals and businesses on an application-only basis. Members will have access to ‘The House’; 600 sq. ft. of professionally interior-designed break-out space, ideal for entertaining or presenting to clients.

Local businesswoman, Amy Byram, is heading development of the historic development. She said: “After years of working with some of Yorkshire’s most successful businesses, it is clear that in this modern era, the buying experience plays a pivotal role in the success or failure in securing new business and maintaining key relationships.

“The look; the brand; the space and facilities; Empire House is a scheme which, to our knowledge, is unique in the region. It’s something that you may see in Manchester or Leeds, and we are bringing it to Slaithwaite; one of the most thriving villages of Huddersfield, right on the doorstep of the train station.

“It will attract high-performing, discerning business people, who are looking for far more than a standard office space. It’s an environment for people with great expectations, and we are setting the bar high. We are investing in the most advanced WiFi available, plush furnishings, a wine and coffee bar, professional interior design. We hope these special touches will amount to a thriving atmosphere that people are proud to be associated with.”

Planning permission has been submitted to add 150 sq. ft. of additional space in the form of an oak-framed, glass orangery, which will be used by members and tenants as extra break-out space.

Amy continued: “We will preserve the building’s very recognisable, grand architecture whilst modernising the interior in-line with modern, dynamic business. Some of the region’s most impressive organisations have stated their desire to operate from Empire House as a base; some full-time and some as a member, giving access to the business club lounge and meeting rooms, whilst also including postal address and incoming call handling support.”

SB Homes, one of Huddersfield’s most renowned housebuilders, has already been announced as an anchor tenant, taking up more than 1,000 sq. ft. of space within the facility.

Memberships start from £150 per month and details regarding application can be found at www.empireoffice.co.uk.