Working alongside developers Graftongate, the new UK green-focused headquarters for Fujifilm in the East of England is set to be completed in summer 2022.

Fujifilm has signed an agreement to take a 10-year lease on a new design and build, 30,000 sqft headquarters office building on a site at Cardington Road, Bedford.

The site is adjacent to St Martins Way, where company operations have been located since 1983. 
The three-storey building will provide office and dedicated workshop space together with exhibition areas and is being developed by leading developer Graftongate and funded by a private investor. 

Construction will commence on 9 August 2021 with completion in summer 2022.

The new building – to be named Fujifilm House – will hold Fujifilm and Graftongate’s sustainability and community values at heart, utilising low energy and green technologies throughout.

The scheme will achieve BREEAM ‘excellent’ and incorporate an extensive photovoltaic array, sustainable urban drainage and biodiverse landscaping design working in partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire. All will contribute to the building’s green credentials.

Tying together Fujifilm’s long-standing presence in Bedford and the company’s Japanese heritage, the building’s exterior aims to integrate design elements from Japan, such as shoji screens and louvres, as well as Bedford’s history of lacemaking, with intricate patterns incorporated into the external cladding design.

Since first moving its UK logistics operations to Bedford almost 40 years ago, Fujifilm has diversified its products and services by leveraging its imaging and information technology to become a global presence known for innovation not only in photography, but increasingly in healthcare. Fujifilm is playing a key role in helping the UK fight COVID-19 with the manufacture of vaccines, and supply of therapies and key front-line and community diagnostic products.

Yoshitaka Nakamura, managing director of FUJIFILM UK Ltd, said: “The Fujifilm story is one of transformation and reinvention, and our new headquarters will reflect the next step of this journey, providing a site fit for the future of Fujifilm in the UK. Fujifilm House will be home to our skilled colleagues as they work to advance culture, science, technology and industry, contributing to a better and healthier world.”

Colin Beasley, principal at Graftongate, said: “Graftongate is excited to work with Fujifilm, such a world-renowned company who have played a major role in the fight against COVID-19. Fujifilm House will unify their 38-year presence in Bedford and it’s impressive sustainability credentials will contribute to the long standing investment value, creating a net benefit to the wider economic and environmental community.” 

Christopher Waud acted for Fujifilm and Savills acted for Graftongate on the leasing and planning.