Commercial Property
CreativeDrive EMEA
CreativeDrive EMEA, formerly Zebra Worldwide is an internationally acclaimed content agency which works with some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Reckett Benkiser and Hasbro as well as broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.
The company was set up in 2005 by Luke Hammersley and Nic Franklin, who had backgrounds in management consultancy and creative directing. They planned to a create a new kind of media business. Their holistic approach means they write and produce content in all media channels, localise and implement campaigns for global markets and support brands with strategic content planning and technology services.
Today, the team is now 70-strong and has offices in Paris, Kiev, Mallorca, Cape Town and Syndey. Rapid expansion and the need for larger premises saw the company relocate its head office from Oxford Circus to become tenants of The Benyon Estate, taking over the lease of 23 Englefield Road.
The move to De Beauvoir Town is described as a “calculated leap of faith” by CreativeDrive’s finance director, Sarah Rose. “Production and post production agencies have traditionally gravitated towards Soho and the West End. However, basing ourselves in Westminster didn’t represent value for money as rents started to rise and the team expanded. We started looking further north and found this beautiful Victorian building with character and a level of finish that reflects our values.”
Formerly used as a storage facility for a record company, the estate’s team stripped back the building to create smart new office space which today houses the company’s production offices and post-production studios.
“It’s almost impossible to find flexible, short-term leases in London so the fact that The Benyon Estate’s lease offered both value and flexibility was a huge draw and will allow us to scale up when required,” adds Sarah. “Added to which, Hackney is an area that’s shown growth and regeneration and is an attractive proposition to creative industries.”
CreativeDrive’s Global HQ London (0560 384 6737; Zebra Worldwide)
The De Beauvoir Deli Co
Lifelong De Beauvoir Town resident and self-confessed foodie Harry Davies opened his fine food deli on Southgate Road in 2009. Today, the De Beauvoir Deli is something of a focal point for the local village community and serves up 2,000 cups of coffee a week and 130 sandwiches every day.
