Lancaster House refurbishment reaps rewards
High quality refurbishment pays dividends at Lancaster House offices in Birmingham city centre, as flurry of lettings complete within just four months.
Acting on behalf of New Wood Properties, KWB has advised on the upgrade of facilities at Lancaster House, an elegant 40,000 sq ft office building located prominently at the junction of Newhall Street and Great Charles Street Queensway. The refurbishment, which includes comfort cooling, raised access floors, suspended ceilings, LG7 compliant lighting and shower facilities, enhances the attraction of the building to those occupiers looking to progress into higher quality office space.
New occupiers to Lancaster House include Bell Cornwall Recruitment, 2,300 sq ft, and CWA civil engineers, 3,300 sq ft, both relocating from neighbouring Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. 60% of a further floor, 3,300 sq ft, is also now in solicitor’s hands. In addition, Blackhams Solicitors have recently relocated into larger office space within Lancaster House, on a new lease.
These add to the already diverse mix of professional companies based in the building, which also include Emms Gilmore Liberson Solicitors, Grayling Communications, Naismiths construction consultants, Stoford Properties, Virtus Consulting and KWB itself.
Built in the 1930s, Lancaster house is a truly prominent building on Newhall Street, and a well-known Birmingham city centre office building. Its eye catching exterior combines both the art deco styles of its time, as well as influences from the Victorian era, making it a real character property. Acting in conjunction with joint commercial property agents, GBR Phoenix Beard, KWB couldn’t be happier with the project and the subsequent lettings.
Nigel Tripp, Partner at Birmingham office specialists KWB, said: “We have been advocating refurbishment of existing office space, as a measure to combat the lack of high quality new offices in Birmingham city centre. We’re delighted with the results at Lancaster House, particularly the speed with which the space has been let. This is a great sign to developers and property owners that office refurbishment will increase return on investment, particularly in the current marketplace.”
The proximity of Lancaster House to Snow Hill and New Street stations, Colmore Row, the upcoming Midland Metro extension, and the new Paradise Development makes it an integral element of the Birmingham office skyline.
For advice on office lettings and refurbishment projects, please contact Nigel Tripp on 0121 212 5981 or email ntripp@kwboffice.com.
