ZURICH has moved hundreds of employees into its new headquarters near Fleming Way - and the Adver had an exclusive tour of the six-storey site.

The insurance giant has invested around £35 million into the 100,000sq ft office block which contractors Skanska started building in August 2020.

I last visited Unity Place when the main pillars and floors had been finished. Safe to say, the main atrium looks rather different now.

 

Swindon Advertiser: The view in Zurich's main atriumThe view in Zurich's main atrium (Image: Newsquest)

A staircase highlighted with blue lights zig-zags up to the top tier while light flows in from the windows and preserved oak and olive trees planted around the lobby catch the eye.

Balconies from each floor surround this space, but there is no loud noise echoing around because white panels which look like ceiling decorations under industrial steelwork absorb some of the acoustics.

Swindon Advertiser: Acoustic panels in the ceiling stop the office space becoming too noisyAcoustic panels in the ceiling stop the office space becoming too noisy (Image: Newsquest)

After getting a guest pass, I'm allowed into the ground floor canteen area which also has an enormous TV screen and a staircase to the mezzanine that doubles as a sort of leisurely lecture theatre.

Swindon Advertiser: The ground floor canteen area in Swindon's new Zurich HQThe ground floor canteen area in Swindon's new Zurich HQ (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Advertiser: The reception area of the Zurich HQThe reception area of the Zurich HQ (Image: Newsquest)

The office floors each have different layouts and are mainly open-plan, featuring several sitting or standing desks and computer stations, a few diner-style booths, larger tables for meeting spaces, enclosed individual seats and tables, catering stations, and plenty of plants.

Swindon Advertiser: The canteen and staircase leading to the mezzanine in Swindon's new Zurich HQThe canteen and staircase leading to the mezzanine in Swindon's new Zurich HQ (Image: Newsquest)

There are small closed-off rooms that can seat two people, or - for even more privacy -  tall soundproofed rectangles that look like phone booths.

Swindon Advertiser: The mezzanine in Swindon's new Zurich HQThe mezzanine in Swindon's new Zurich HQ (Image: Newsquest)

Eco-friendliness is a big focus for the building - a screen above the reception desk boasts of how all the power comes from renewable electricity.

Chief sustainability officer John Keppel said: "We had exhausted the workable life of the TriCentre so this was an opportunity to kickstart central Swindon's re-development and build the best business space in the area.

"The building's design encourages people to walk between floors, so the lifts aren't used much. Some staff in our old building didn't know what was on the floor below theirs because they had no reason to go there.

Swindon Advertiser: The first floor of Zurich's new HQ in SwindonThe first floor of Zurich's new HQ in Swindon (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Advertiser: The offices in Zurich's new HQ in SwindonThe offices in Zurich's new HQ in Swindon (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Advertiser: The offices in Zurich's new HQ in SwindonThe offices in Zurich's new HQ in Swindon (Image: Newsquest)

"We re-used rubble from the structures underneath the ground to form the concrete base of the building, leftover cement has been melted and made into artwork, rainwater collected on the roof waters the plants, the list goes on.

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser: The booths in Zurich's new HQ in SwindonThe booths in Zurich's new HQ in Swindon (Image: Newsquest)

"All the furniture is made through zero-water manufacturing and is sourced from UK and Wiltshire businesses. There are only four printers in the whole building to encourage our staff to go paperless and only print if it's absolutely necessary."

Swindon Advertiser: The open plan offices in Zurich's new HQ in SwindonThe open plan offices in Zurich's new HQ in Swindon (Image: Newsquest)

The top floor includes a leisure area with a piano, air hockey, and table football as well as a roof terrace for socialising in the sunshine (if there is any) and a beehive.

Swindon Advertiser: The leisure area on the top floor of Zurich's Swindon officesThe leisure area on the top floor of Zurich's Swindon offices (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Advertiser: The top floor leisure area in Zurich's new HQThe top floor leisure area in Zurich's new HQ (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Advertiser: The roof terraceThe roof terrace (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Advertiser: The roof terraceThe roof terrace (Image: Newsquest)

The car park has 13 car spaces, all with electric vehicle charging points, and several motorcycle bays. Cyclists can store their bikes in a ground floor area which is connected to a drying room, lockers, and showers.

Swindon Advertiser: The bike storage area in Swindon's new Zurich HQThe bike storage area in Swindon's new Zurich HQ (Image: Newsquest)

Just over half of the building will be used by Zurich itself while spaces on three of the floors will be sub-letted to other companies. These areas are still being finished off.

Swindon Advertiser: Part of Zurich's new HQ is still being worked onPart of Zurich's new HQ is still being worked on (Image: Newsquest)

It is hoped that the impressive offices and nearby new bus boulevard will inspire other big-name businesses to be part of Swindon Borough Council's Kimmerfields re-development scheme.

Swindon Advertiser: The fifth floor of Zurich's new Swindon town centre officesThe fifth floor of Zurich's new Swindon town centre offices (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Keppel added: "We've been part of Swindon for so long, it's important to have a presence in the community and help the area's development.

"We look forward to Fleming Way being completed and changing the face of central Swindon and the journey from the train station."

Swindon Advertiser: The view from the fifth floor of Zurich's new Swindon headquartersThe view from the fifth floor of Zurich's new Swindon headquarters (Image: Newsquest)

The council is set to buy the building and then lease it back to Zurich on a long lease.

Council leader David Renard said: "Unity Place is an excellent building both on the outside and on the inside.

“It’s a great addition to Swindon’s skyline and a shining example of what a private business can do to improve the local area.

“The eco-friendly features of the building are something that everyone should be aspiring to and we’re proud to be the home of such a state-of-the-art office.”

Swindon Advertiser: Zurich's head of sustainability John KeppelZurich's head of sustainability John Keppel (Image: Newsquest)