Leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has chosen 103 Colmore Row as the new home for its Birmingham office.
The company has signed a ten-year lease on the entire 17th floor (12,146 sq ft) of the 26-storey building with joint venture partners Sterling Property Ventures (Sterling) and Tristan Capital Partners (Tristan). The rent is undisclosed.
Grant Thornton is currently based at The Colmore Building, where it employs more than 400 people. The office specialises in tax, audit and advisory services for public, private and not-for-profit organisations in a range of sectors and industries.
Dave Hillan, Birmingham practice leader for Grant Thornton, said: “I am delighted that we are moving to what is a flagship location in the centre of Birmingham. The environmental credentials of 103 Colmore Row were a huge attraction for us, together with the availability of additional flexible working space within the building.
“As people start to return to the office it is important that they have a great working environment to return to and 103 certainly ticks that particular box.”
103 Colmore Row comprises 223,631 sq ft of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Grade A office space. At 108 metres, it is the tallest office development under construction in the UK outside London.
The letting to Grant Thornton is the second to a professional and financial services firm after Tilney Smith & Williamson agreed a ten-year lease on the 14th floor. Workspace provider x+why has taken 31,500 sq ft on the first, second and third floors where it will operate flexible office space, as well as operating the members’ business club on the 18th floor.
The two-storey top floor restaurant and ground floor café will both be operated by D&D London.
James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, said: “As the building edges closer to practical completion, occupier interest is starting to gather real momentum and the floors are beginning to fill up.
“Post-pandemic, employees are demanding more from the offices they want to work in, with a focus on health and wellbeing, as well as location and commute time for work-life balance. Companies are recognising this and as a result we’re seeing a flight to quality in the office sector, with occupiers clamouring for the very best space.
“The addition of Grant Thornton to our growing tenant roster is a further endorsement of 103 Colmore Row’s best in class credentials.”
103 Colmore Row is scheduled for practical completion in November this year. The office space is being marketed by joint agents Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank.
Savills advised Grant Thornton on the letting.