GVA assists Capita in extending and increasing occupation at Fort Dunlop

Leading independent property advisor GVA has advised FTSE 100 company, Capita on an lease re-gear and extension to its offices at Fort Dunlop.

Capita, which already occupies over 50,000 sq ft on the building’s fifth floor, has now taken a further 12,500 sq ft of space on the sixth floor, and extended its existing lease until July 2021.

Fort Dunlop is home to Service Birmingham, a partnership between Capita and Birmingham City Council formed in 2006 to support the council in changing the way that it works using information and communications technology.

Capita will share occupancy of the sixth floor with BPM Media, which publishes the Birmingham Post, Birmingham Mail and Sunday Mercury titles in the Midlands.

George Jennings, Associate, GVA, said: “We were able to surrender a quarter of their floor with a simultaneous lease between landlord Urban Splash and Capita.

“This is nothing short of a win- win situation, as Urban Splash has secured additional time on the tenancy and Capita has been able to expand within the building to meet its requirements.”

Located in a prominent and accessible location just off the M6, Fort Dunlop is an award-winning, landmark mixed-use development.

Formerly the tyre factory and main office of Dunlop Rubber, Fort Dunlop was acquired by award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash in 1999. Following an extensive redevelopment, the building was converted to provide facilities for a range of uses, with 300,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and 45,000 sq ft of retail.

Since its launch in December 2006, the building has remained more than 96 per cent let, attracting a wealth of high-calibre tenants and, as in the case of Capita, retaining them.

Emily Handslip, Commercial Director, Urban Splash, said: “We are thrilled to have completed on these deals which once again demonstrate our key strength in retaining tenants and accommodating their growth. The building continues to be an incredibly popular base for both Birmingham businesses and national organisations looking for a well-located hub.”

Combining historic status with new-build efficiency and award-winning, design-led architecture, Fort Dunlop is home to a range of occupiers, from structural engineers and building contractors to accountants, insurers and design consultancies.

Alongside the commercial and retail space, Fort Dunlop offers a wide selection of additional amenities, including on-site coffee and sandwich shops, a convenience store and a 100-bed hotel.