Knights, one of the UK’s fastest growing legal and professional services businesses, has become the latest office occupier to commit to a move to Paradise and its second office building, Two Chamberlain Square.
Knights will take 18,000 sq ft on the fifth floor of the building, located in the very heart of Paradise Birmingham and directly overlooking the newly refurbished Chamberlain Square and the wider public realm.
The company’s new Birmingham base will give it room for further growth and development in the city. Knights is one of the few listed and one of the fastest growing professional services businesses in the country and now has 16 offices across the UK. The company’s Birmingham team is currently based in Lancaster House on Newhall Street.
Rob Groves, regional director with Argent, developer-managers of Paradise, said: “Welcoming Knights to Two Chamberlain Square means we now have a major professional services hub developing around both of our first commercial buildings with PwC, DLA Piper and now Knights all choosing Paradise. Knights is a business on an exciting journey that will now have further room to grow at Paradise in a best-in-class commercial building that projects an ambitious and modern image to staff and visitors.
“This move again demonstrates the amazing momentum behind Paradise that continues to attract the highest calibre of businesses keen to grow their client and staff base by providing the best possible professional environment in the very heart of Birmingham.”
Two Chamberlain Square offers up to 183,000 sq ft of space for commercial occupiers across seven floors including a stunning panoramic roof terrace accessed from the sixth floor. Designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects, Two Chamberlain Square is a highly efficient and flexible, sustainable commercial building offering unparalleled access to the heart of the city with its excellent transport links and first-class amenities.
PwC, the leading professional services firm, has already moved its 2,000-strong team to One Chamberlain Square while global law firm DLA Piper has taken the top two floors of Two Chamberlain Square.
David Beech, CEO of Knights plc, said: “Today’s announcement reflects Knights’ ongoing commitment to provide a high-quality and collaborative working environment for colleagues and will support its expansion in the region through recruitment as it continues to scale its presence across the UK.”
Chris Taylor, CEO of Real Estate and Head of Private Markets, international business of Federated Hermes, added: “Our commitment to long-term investment and the stewardship of our investments has been well-received, with several major employers having committed to moving to the scheme. Working in partnership with the public sector, our holistic approach at Paradise is having a positive impact upon the wider community, delivering outstanding economic and social outcomes for Birmingham City Centre.”
At almost 2 million square feet, Paradise will deliver up to ten new flagship buildings, offering offices, shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, a four star hotel and a 49 storey residential tower across 17 acres in the heart of the city.
The Paradise redevelopment is being brought forward through Paradise Circus Limited Partnership (PCLP), a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council. The private sector funding is being managed by Federated Hermes, which has partnered with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) on the first phase of the development. Argent is the development manager.
Paradise sits in the country’s largest city centre Enterprise Zone and has already benefited from investment by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) in enabling and infrastructure works.