The AA has signed up as the first tenant of Plant, the former Mountbatten House in Basing View.

The motorists’ organisation will take 41,000 sq ft of 150,000 sq ft, Grade II-listed Plant which is undergoing a major regeneration by Mactaggart Family & Partners and Longstock Capital.

The AA will move from its long-term base at nearby Fanum House in the Summer. It has a 15-year lease at its new home.

William Laxton, chief executive of Mactaggart Family and Partners, said: “We look forward to welcoming The AA to their new home after the building completes in the Summer.

“We have had healthy interest from the occupier market, which we expect to intensify as the building continues to take shape over the coming months.

“As a business of such high standing and significance in the UK, The AA taking a 15-year lease proves that businesses are happy to commit for the right assets, assets that genuinely satisfy the needs of employees and stakeholders in terms of environmental credentials, design quality, and occupier experience.”

Jakob Pfaudler, chief executive of The AA, said: “This move aligns with our ambition to modernise the AA and supports our vision and environmental ambitions.

“This move will be somewhat bittersweet for us, marking the end of 50 years at our historic home of Fanum House, dating back to the late Queen opening the building in 1973. But at the same time it represents a key moment in transforming The AA into a fresh, flexible and modern company.”

The move leaves Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council the question of what to do with the freehold of 225,000 sq ft Fanum House, which it owns.

© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.