IBM North Harbour

Computer company headquarters

50°50′35″N 1°05′06″W / 50.843°N 1.085°W / 50.843; -1.085Elevation10 m (33 ft)Current tenantsIBMCompleted1976Inaugurated3 December 1976Cost£17.2mClientIBMDimensionsOther dimensions125 acresTechnical detailsFloor count4Floor area360,000 sq ftDesign and constructionArchitect(s)Arup AssociatesStructural engineerArup AssociatesMain contractorTaylor Woodrow Construction

IBM North Harbour is the headquarters of IBM in the UK, now part of a larger business park.

History

IBM sold the main building in 2005. In November 2015 IBM sold two more buildings, but maintains their headquarters here.

Construction

The site was chosen in 1969, and drained during 1971 under direction of Grontmij N.V. of the Netherlands. In 1972 construction of the lake took place, directly bounded to the south by the construction of the M27 embankment. The foundations were built in 1973, with 30 m-deep piles. The building was formed with pre-cast concrete sections, built on the piles.

Structural engineering and architecture was by Arup Associates. It was built by Taylor Woodrow Construction.^[1] It cost £17.2m.

Opening

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh opened the site on Friday 3 December 1976.^[2] The Prince had flown by aircraft, being met by William Harris, 6th Earl of Malmesbury, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire.

IBM also had ten acres at Interchange Park, a nearby manufacturing plant, which opened in 1967.^[3]

Visits

Prince Philip attended a dinner at the site at 5pm on Friday 10 April 1992, representing the National Playing Fields Association^[4]

Structure

The site is accessed via the A27, at the terminus of M27. Cosham railway station is within walking distance, to the east. It is next to junction 12 of the M27.

A Porsche retail centre opened nearby in 2012, on the site. In 2012 three acres near Porsche were sold for a 124-bed hotel.