Southbank Studios now open
The studio is now open and taking bookings.
The website is currently being updated but here are a few pictures.
GRAND DESIGNS
Everyone’s getting really excited about the move to London, the new offices and studios. A gaggle of Viewpoint staff who hadn’t been to the building since the development first started popped up to Viewpoint Southbank to see what stage the development was at. The move (which before seemed far, far away in the future) is now only a matter of weeks from completion! We’re in the process (along with Rosslyn Research staff in Shoreditch) of packing up our office ready for the move to London.
We have lots of fond memories of our time at Hampton Court. The people we have worked with over the years, the building itself, location and the garden parties on late summer evenings. Yes it is a little sad, but like Market Research we have to move with the times. Offering our clients a top-spec London viewing facility, along with our suburban studios at Viewpoint Sunbury, will only benefit us. London itself will open up a whole host of opportunities, being in the ‘buzz’ of London, meeting up with friends that work in the city, and meeting with our clients more regularly will be fun. So the countdown begins……!
CRIKEY, YOU DON’T HANG ABOUT, DO YOU?!
Since my last visit to the new Viewpoint premises at Waterloo, things have changed dramatically. The site itself is a frenetic hive of continuing developments. Workmen in hard hats are up ladders adjusting the lighting, paint is being applied to the walls, and the main stairwell is being prepared for painting and carpeting.
The studio space is unrecognisable, gone is the massive cavernous main room to the rear of the building, two new studios have appeared from nowhere. The one way mirrors are in the process of being put in, and a new studio kitchen is being constructed.
I have a sneaky peek at our Viewpoint Field office on the floor above, and Rosslyn’s new office on the floor above that. Everything is pretty much ready for both companies to move in. The walls have had their final coat of paint and the floor is just needing the new carpets to be fitted. Considering the speed at which the studios and offices have been developed, I’m already looking forward to the next visit to see what they have accomplished next. I probably won’t even recognise it!
Through the Looking Glass
Studio 3 (real name coming soon) fills in.
For more photos click below
Week 1 in photos
Things are moving along nicely.
The framework of Studio 3 and the kitchen go in.
The space for the mirror in Studio 3
Blankety Blank!
On my exploration of the building my mind casts back to our Hampton Court building and how derelict the space was before it was remodelled into its current setting. The building here on Blackfriars Road is much the same, it really is a blank canvas. The space is almost cavernous and with a lot of thought and planning, why shouldn’t it offer the same degree of comfort that our studios at Hampton Court currently do? We have been assured that the move will not in any way compromise our clients’ expectations of delivering a first class viewing facility within a London location.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit once work is underway so that I can keep you updated with the development. Watch this space!
Potential for Modernisation?
I decided to time my amble along to the new building, though being distracted by the sites and stopping for a coffee on a way set me back about 10 minutes. I’d say it would take someone walking from Waterloo Station at a nice brisk pace between 7-10 minutes maximum.
From the outside the space set aside for the studio is vast, the entire ground floor will be set aside for three top of the range studios, whilst retaining a sense of character and comforts.
My first impressions are good, there will be disabled access to all three studios (something our Hampton Court studio is lacking) and even car parking space to the rear of the building; enough for 9 cars which is something very unusual for London!
So what’s occuring?
The lease for our new building has been signed, and work is now kicking off! A few of us have at Viewpoint have had a sneaky peek at the new building, the following extract is by a member of staff that visited Viewpoint Southbank last month.
‘Hopped off the train at Waterloo and headed down the back entrance grabbing a coffee on the way. I’m really curious to see what part of London the offices are based in, as news of the move has my head buzzing with lots of questions. How far from Waterloo is the office? Is it a nice part of London? What’s in the surrounding area that would be good for clients and colleagues alike?
To Infinity, and Beyond!
The purpose of this webpage is to keep you fully updated with the latest news and developments from Viewpoint HQ, so you are able to come with us on our journey to London and are up to date with any new developments!
If you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see in our studios, our door is always open! Please feel to drop us a line: click here
Stu-Stu-Stu-Studio!
Viewpoint Studios Sunbury will remain open for business as we want to be able to offer our clients a suburban Surrey viewing facility alongside our Southbank Studios in London. Sunbury Studios will be receiving a refit later this year, and we will let you know of the plans to this, as and when.
It’s all about the people, folks!
Viewpoint is not just the building, Viewpoint is all about the people who work there, each of us very different and unique and it is us that make Viewpoint what it is.
We have a lot of history at Viewpoint Hampton Court and many of us have been here from the very beginning – the dawn of time almost. In all honesty we were all rather taken aback at this turn of events, but when we had a bit of time to digest the news working in London is actually going to be very exciting opportunity! We will be within close proximity of many of our client base which will we hope ensure a closer working relationship. Also new bars, restaurants, theatres, and the fabulous Borough Market which is only a stone’s throw away will mean lots of after hours distractions – but more of that a little later!
Our sister company Rosslyn Research currently based in Shoreditch will also be relocating to the new building with us, though of course we will each be keeping our company identities very separate, along with the studios of course. Working in the same building will allow us to share resources and work more closely as a team to offer qualitative, quantitative (inclusive of CATI), telephone recruitment, and international coordination.
Relocation! Relocation! Relocation!
Don’t worry, we haven’t enlisted Kirsty and Phil, nor will we be appearing on Channel 4 in the near future! You may, or may not already be aware of the recent whisperings within the market research industry and in the trade press concerning the future of Viewpoint Field and Studios, and our sister company Rosslyn Research.