A £14 million redevelopment of Two Cornwall Street, situated at the heart of Birmingham’s Colmore Business District, has been given the go-ahead by Birmingham City Council, bringing more good news to the city’s office market.
Family-owned property company Bruntwood will now push ahead to completely transform the building, providing around 110,000 sq ft of much-needed Grade A office space in 2016 – when high demand from occupiers looking to locate in Birmingham is expected to coincide with a lack of supply.
Situated on the corner of Cornwall Street and Livery Street, work on the nine-storey building, which will increase its internal area by around 21,000 sq ft, is expected to begin in August 2015.
Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the redeveloped building will have a double-height reception area, a private car park, cycling facilities with showers and drying room and a 3,500 sq ft rooftop terrace for the use of all businesses based in the building and their visitors.
Inside, all floors are designed to be highly efficient and benefit from floor to ceiling glazing, providing plenty of natural light and views across Birmingham.
Close to the A38, adjacent to Snow Hill station, and within easy walking distance from the revamped Birmingham New Street station, the new Grand Central and the proposed High Speed 2 terminal, Two Cornwall Street is perfect for businesses looking for modern, well-connected space.
The redevelopment of Two Cornwall Street marks an important step in Bruntwood’s expansion in Birmingham. The property company owns and manages more than 140 properties in four UK cities and has already revamped Centre City on Hill Street, Mclaren on Queensway, and the Grade II-listed Cornwall Buildings on Newhall Street – but Two Cornwall Street will be its largest and most significant project in Birmingham to date.
Rob Valentine, head of Bruntwood’s Birmingham office, said: “We now have the green light to transform Two Cornwall Street into desirable Grade A office space, which will be delivered at a crucial time for the city’s office market.
“There is expected be a surge of demand for high quality space in Birmingham in 2016, with the city increasingly been seen viewed as a place where entrepreneurial businesses thrive. This has especially been the case since HSBC announced its historic decision to move the headquarters for its UK retail and commercial banking business, and 1,000 jobs, to the city.
“With floor plates of up to 13,750 sq ft, and an ideal location at the heart of the Colmore Business District, close to the city’s transport hubs, shops, restaurants and cafés, Two Cornwall Street will offer a single occupier, or numerous occupiers, some of the best situated, highest quality space in Birmingham.”
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: “The development will provide much-needed, high quality office space within Birmingham’s business district.
“The existing building is outdated and these proposals to refurbish and extend it will make it attractive to a wide range of potential occupiers. The building is in a very sustainable location, being situated so close to Snow Hill Station and also the Midland Metro. This is another boost to the ongoing regeneration of this area.”