Orchard's business grows more fruitful

FRIDAY, JUNE 15: Mark Orchard Real Estate (MORE) has branched out into the commercial market in a big way.

MORE has secured the contracts to manage three of Bermuda’s better-known office buildings. Cumberland House at One Victoria Street, Chevron House at 11 Church Street and Craig Appin House at 8 Wesley Street are all now being professionally managed by MORE in the role of owners’ representative.

Mr Orchard established the company in October 2011.

He said: “When I first started my business I focused on residential real estate and I have now been fortunate to be invited to provide my expertise and professional service support to these three fine commercial buildings. 

“The owners have an excellent vision of where they want these buildings to go and have in fact already begun significant capital investment in Cumberland House and we are now nearing the completion of the renovation of all twenty bathrooms in the asset. 

“We have also completed the renovation of a second floor space as a gym and it includes some really attractive bathrooms with dedicated shower facilities. 

“We hope to attract an operator to establish a business here and provide quality services to our tenants and the general public alike.

“Future enhancements at Cumberland House include fire safety upgrades, electrical system upgrades to provide business-continuity redundancy, while at Chevron we are planning improvements to the exterior image of the building as well as new windows on the lower floors.

“At Craig Appin, new air-conditioning systems and controls will ensure that tenants remain comfortable in summer and winter seasons.”

“As the commercial office market matures we believe that there are opportunities for businesses of all types to secure affordable office accommodation in the city centre. Our rents are extremely competitive and our buildings well maintained and attractive. 

“In fact with so many great restaurants nearby, as well as plentiful parking and proximity to the Hamilton bus stop, there has never been a better time for tenants to consider looking at alternative accommodations.  You can’t beat our location.”

All three buildings are part of the estate of the prominent developer F.W. Yearwood who passed away in 2007. 

Mr. Yearwood’s nephew, George Fraser, said: “We are very pleased to have Mark join our organization and we are confident that he will actively assist us as we moved forward with enhancing our commercial property portfolio.”

All three buildings boast a diverse group of credit tenants including a major local law firm, international insurance brokers, a global oil & gas company and the administrative offices a large local Health Care provider.

Pauline Richards of Armour Group and a tenant in Chevron House said:, “Having Mark on-site each day has been a welcome addition for our business as we get proactive facility support for any matters that arise”.