Planning application submitted for restaurant units as part of Great Charles Street redevelopment

CGI of The Crossway with revised façade

A planning application has been lodged for the creation of two new restaurant and bar units at one of Birmingham’s most high profile sites.

The application will see part of the ground floor of The Crossway – formerly known as Civic House – on the corner of Summer Row and Great Charles Street Queensway, converted into two food and beverage units suitable for restaurant or café operators.

Constituting 2,847 sq ft and 3,609 sq ft respectively, the space will also include an exterior terrace on Summer Row.

The submission has been made by AG Dunedin Birmingham Estate Venture LP, a joint venture between Angelo Gordon and Dunedin Property Asset Management, which acquired a portfolio of seven buildings on the Great Charles Street estate from Aviva for £20 million in early 2015.

Work is already underway on the comprehensive redevelopment of The Crossway, including recladding of the exterior of the building, full refurbishment of all internal space to Cat A, creation of an enhanced reception and the upgrade of all mains services with new glazing installed to increase levels of natural light.

Dunedin is aiming to have the building ready for occupation by October 2016.

Gordon Kellie, Dunedin Property Asset Management, said: “These spaces will be a fantastic addition to the already outstanding range of restaurants and bars on Summer Row and will provide users from across the estate with somewhere to spend time away from the office with clients or to relax out of hours.”

Dunedin has already completed the refurbishment of Charles House and Lombard House, which have created fresh and contemporary office environments and generated considerable interest from occupiers.

Gordon continued: “We have continued to see substantial interest in the Birmingham office market over the last 12 months and we feel that the redevelopment of these buildings at Great Charles Street is at the perfect time to meet demand.

“We want to make best use of the unique and interesting spaces within these buildings and are creating high quality, desirable office accommodation specifically targeted towards smaller occupiers who have perhaps outgrown serviced offices, or want to upgrade to higher quality offices.”

Occupying an island site bordered by Great Charles Street Queensway, Newhall Street, Lionel Street and Summer Row, Great Charles Street will benefit significantly from the adjacent Paradise redevelopment, which will enhance connections between the estate and the city core.

The Great Charles Street estate fronts Great Charles Street Queensway, a main arterial route connecting the site to the A38 and national motorway network and is a 15 minute walk from the recently refurbished New Street Station and Snow Hill.

Joint letting agents for Great Charles Street Estate are Bilfinger GVA and LSH.