Global Banking School (GBS) has agreed to take 69,000 sq ft at 1 Brindleyplace, in the largest traditional office letting in Brindleyplace in more than a decade.
The higher education provider has signed a 15-year lease on the entire building with asset manager Macquarie Asset Management, which was advised by CBRE.
GBS, part of Global Education (GEDU), operates ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, providing places for more than 30,000 students.
Originally started as a specialist training centre for finance and investment banking in 2010, today it offers vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism and healthcare.
1 Brindleyplace will be GBS’ third campus in Birmingham, adding to those at Fazeley Studios, Digbeth, and Norfolk House, Smallbrook Queensway.
James Kennedy, deputy CEO of GBS, said: “As an organisation we are always looking to grow.
“At GBS, we are working to deliver on the GEDU goal of changing lives through education. We offer students unparalleled flexibility to complete their studies within their already busy personal and professional lives, enabling them to take that next step in their career.
“This expanded footprint will allow us to even better serve the Birmingham community, a city in which we are proud to have a presence.”
Built in 1994, 1 Brindleyplace was the first office building to be completed as part of the Brindleyplace mixed-use development. Originally occupied by Vodafone, in 2008 the building was let to Deutsche Bank, in what was then the biggest office letting in Birmingham. More recently it was home to the Birmingham Organising Committee of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Theo Holmes, senior director and head of office agency at CBRE in Birmingham, advised Macquarie on the letting. He said: “The education sector is particularly active in the office market, with several notable deals in the last 18 months, including QAHE’s 45,000 sq ft letting at Louisa Ryland House, Arden University taking an additional 24,000 sq ft in Crossway House and University College Birmingham’s acquisition of 45,000 sq ft at Baskerville House.
“The repurposing of office space for education use is a trend that is continuing to gather pace in Birmingham. Space requirements of education providers are very similar to office occupiers. When coupled with access to local amenities and good transport links, it’s easy to see why an increasing number are choosing this route to establish and expand their campuses in the city.
“Brindleyplace provides the perfect campus location, offering good quality accommodation and affordable rents, within a safe, managed environment.”