Local knowledge brings award for Knight Frank

18th May 2015

Knight Frank's dominance in the commercial property marketplace in Sheffield has helped secure its position as Best Large Agency Practice in a regional property awards.

The judging panel at the Yorkshire Property Awards praised Knight Frank's Sheffield and Leeds' office coverage of all markets from 500sq ft premises to major office developments and 500,000 sq ft distribution warehouses. The panel was particularly impressed by the Sheffield team's involvement in almost every major transaction in the city last year. Deals included the 80,000 sq ft sale on Charter Row for GE to Westfield Health, the sale of a 365,911 sq ft distribution centre in Rotherham to Standard Life Investments Property Holdings on behalf of Kirbyville and the largest industrial property letting in Yorkshire for 2014 of LPP Sheffield at 412,519 sq ft to Great Bear Distribution for Logistics Property Partnership. Peter Whiteley, partner at Knight Frank Sheffield office, said: "This award is testament to the team's hard work and knowledge of our patch. We pride ourselves in knowing each of our markets inside out and building established relationships and because of this, we are able to respond quickly and knowledgeably to enquiries and opportunities and secure the deals." Partner Rebecca Schofield, who heads up the Yorkshire industrial team, added: "2014 saw the distribution sector continue to be a key source of demand, with occupiers adjusting to accommodate the rapid growth in e-commerce. This also had a positive effect on the packaging sector. "Manufacturing remains active. This is directly beneficial for the region, attracting further inward investment and supply chain occupiers." The award comes on the back of Knight Frank's Sheffield and Leeds' industrial teams success in the national EGi deals competition earlier this year for being the most active in the commercial property sector in Yorkshire in 2014.