Brockton Capital appoints GBR Phoenix Beard as joint agent for Mailbox offices

Brockton Capital, joint owners of Birmingham’s prestigious Mailbox development, have appointed GBR Phoenix Beard as joint letting agent, alongside CBRE, for the scheme’s circa 50,000 sq ft office offering.

Situated at the heart of this iconic mixed-use asset, the new Grade-A offices offer Birmingham’s largest ever commercial accommodation on a single floorplate. The voluminous space has been designed with flexible configurations able to offer efficient accommodation from 20,000 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft, combined with impressive ceiling heights of almost five metres.

The new office space, which will be ready for occupation in the autumn, will feature a dedicated reception, open glass atrium, full-height glazing, far-reaching city views and an opportunity to utilise a mezzanine area as part of the layout, thus reducing occupational costs.

The office accommodation is being reconfigured and fully re-fitted to Grade-A standard as part of the current programme of remodelling works, which includes the transformation of existing retail space, creation of a new 45,000 sq ft signature Harvey Nichols store and installation of a sky-lit roof enclosing the central mall.

One of Europe’s largest mixed-use buildings, Mailbox was purchased in 2011 through a joint venture between Brockton Capital and Milligan and is widely recognised as Birmingham’s leading office, luxury retail and leisure destination.

Simon Samuels, Brockton Capital, said: “These offices represent a prime opportunity for occupiers to be located in the heart of one of Birmingham’s most vibrant mixed-use destinations and we want to ensure that we are fully exploring conversations with possible occupiers from all sectors.

“To that end, we have brought specialist office agent GBR Phoenix Beard on board and, together with CBRE, we have two market-leading agents in place with the extensive experience and industry knowledge required to find the right occupiers for this statement office space.

“Mailbox is a dynamic 24/7 destination that combines dining, leisure and retail opportunities, as well as an extensive on-site car parking provision, with an attractive canal-side environment. We believe there is no other office location in Birmingham to rival this extensive range of lifestyle benefits, all supported by outstanding road and rail connections.  Working at Mailbox offers staff a truly unique way of life.”

Brockton will fully fit-out one half of the space to Cat A standard, while leaving the other with potential for exposed ducting and pipework, offering a range of fit-out options that will appeal to the entire universe of potential occupiers.

Ben Thacker, Director and Head of Office Agency, GBR Phoenix Beard, said: “The Mailbox offices will deliver something entirely unique to the market in a location that has repeatedly proven itself as a successful commercial location and a key gateway to the Westside of the City.

“Brockton has completely embraced the opportunity at Mailbox to deliver a high quality office environment, situated on the doorstep of New Street Station and offering a real alternative to the space typically found in the traditional business district. The location, environment and quality of the space will have cross sector appeal to both existing Birmingham occupiers and outside the city at a national level, particularly for companies looking to relocate from London and the south east.

Mailbox offices are already home to a variety of well-known companies including BBC Birmingham, Network Rail and Associated Architects.

Ashley Hancox, Executive Director at CBRE commented “As we have recently found with our own move, office occupiers are changing the way they use their space and our experience is that large, efficient, functional floorplates with this level of connectivity and amenity on the doorstep are in high demand. Considering the work and lifestyle balance offered by the wider Mailbox and the current lack of large, high quality floorplates in the city, the Mailbox will offer some of the most exciting office space available in Birmingham.”

Located at the head of the Birmingham canal network, Mailbox is easily accessible from the city’s ring road and A38 and just a short walk to Birmingham New Street station, which is currently undergoing the second stage of a comprehensive, £600 million refurbishment due to be completed later this year.

Tenants at Mailbox benefit from full-time, on-site support from the estate team, 24 hour security and around the clock car-parking, all alongside world-class dining and an abundance of grab-and-go food choices, a flagship Harvey Nichols store, a boutique Everyman cinema, personalised shopping and a range of on-site amenities, including free bicycle storage.