Still batting for Edgbaston after a quarter of a century

Clocking up a quarter of a century in Edgbaston, Nolan Associates, a Birmingham based Chartered structural and Civil Engineering Consultancy has taken 5375 sq ft at 54 Hagley Road.

The 10 year lease renews the company’s commitment to the area and adds to the growing list of professional services companies that have taken space at the Grade A offices.

Information management company, Ridgian, took the entire fifth floor at 54 at the beginning of the summer. Continued investment in the area such as Morrison’s new flagship store at Five Ways, is also attracting companies back from the central core in Birmingham and is reinforcing the decision to stay in the area by long established companies.

Professor John Nolan, chairman at Nolan Associates said: “Being based in Edgbaston has served us well for many years and the move to 54 Hagley Road, reaffirms our commitment to the continued success of the company which has secured the design of construction projects exceeding £200 million in the past six months.

“Birmingham offers a central location to service our many clients across the UK. With staff constantly on the road visiting sites throughout the UK, the parking provision and easy access to arterial roads was vital. The new offices at Edgbaston will provide fresh impetus and mark a new chapter for our 40 strong team to ensure Nolan Associates is around another 25 years.”

54 Hagley Road’s continual programme of investment to the value of £16m is believed to be exactly the right course of action for the landlord, Mercia Real Estate, as John Hinton from GBRPB who acts as joint agent with Jones Lang LaSalle and GVA explains:

“Investing in the sustainability of a building is increasingly moving to the top of the landlord’s agenda as tenants become more environmentally conscious from both a cost and Corporate Social Responsibility perspective. Spending £1 million on replacing all the windows at 54 to improve its thermal efficiency was a huge undertaking. Clearly for Nolan Associates, improved EPC ratings may not be the deal breaker but will have contributed towards the overall perception of the building as a modern, bright working environment.

“The real crunch talks for tenants are still the competitive terms a landlord is willing offer and certainly at 54 the landlord is very hands on and flexible. This is essential whilst the market still dictates that the occupier is in the driving seat although an upturn in economic conditions may mean the tide turns.”

54 Hagley Road offers tenants a premier location for businesses without the overheads of a city centre office and provides the opportunity for both large and small companies to sit side-by-side and make an equally impressive statement.

A range of space varying from 2,200 to 67,840 sq ft is currently available to let at 54.

Tenants benefit from a large statement central reception area, home to Cafe Kix and includes air conditioning, lifts and suspended ceilings with LG7-compatible lighting, as well as open floor plates with carpeted raised floors.

The car-parking ratio of 1:438 sq ft of office accommodation in surface, undercroft and multi-storey levels is also much better than available in other areas of Birmingham.

All this is complemented by views across one of Europe’s largest Urban Conservation areas. A wealth of amenities are also available with first class transport links including Five Ways train station, quality schools, Michelin star restaurants, historic beauty spots and first class sporting and leisure facilities.