Ricoh Digital Services has taken 3,561 sq ft at the Rum Runner Works, Birmingham.
The digital arm of the Japanese imaging and electronics giant has agreed a five-year lease on part of the ground floor. The company is moving from 54 Hagley Road to its new home overlooking Birmingham’s historic Gas St Basin.
Rum Rummer Works comprises 16,000 sq ft of offices. The building is best known as the former Rum Runner nightclub, where Duran Duran made its name and local acts including Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40 played. The building began life in the 1800s as a glass works.
Building owner Picton has invested £2m to transform the two-storey building into Grade A office space, including restoring its locally listed frontage. Internally, features include exposed services and industrial lighting, bicycle storage, shower and changing facilities, private external terraces overlooking Gas Street Canal Basin, and a central courtyard space for events. On the top floor, partition walls have been removed to create an open mezzanine. New energy efficient M&E systems and on-site renewable power generation have also been added, to boost the building’s green credentials.
The building offers easy access to Birmingham city centre, Brindleyplace and the Mailbox. The Metro runs along Broad Street, which is also a major bus route. New Street Station is a five-minute walk away.
The Birmingham office of CBRE advised Picton on the deal.
Theo Holmes, who heads the office agency team at CBRE in Birmingham, said: “Picton has invested £2m to reimagine Rum Runner Works, producing a truly special workspace environment to match its colourful history.
“Ricoh is the first occupier at the building. They were won over by the fabulous canalside location and views of Gas Street Basin, as well as the generous outdoor spaces and accessibility to the transport network. We have strong interest in the remaining space.”
Following the Ricoh letting, 12,619 sq ft remains available at Rum Runner Works, in three suites from 3,741 sq ft.
Savills is joint letting agent with CBRE; Bossington Partners advised Ricoh on the letting.
