One of Birmingham’s most recently launched residential lettings agencies has seen a spike in activity after relocating its office with support from developer Nikal.
Agency Eigth8 moved to Masshouse Plaza in Eastside at the start of January from the their previous offices in St Paul’s Square in the Jewellery Quarter, and is already benefitting from the new ‘shop front’ location.
Formerly the sales and lettings office for Nikal’s multi award-winning Hive residential development, the suite was relocated at the end of 2012 to a new show unit within Hive, following the disposal of the first phase of apartments.
Since opening in 2011, Eight8 has seen rapid growth, building relationships with tenants and landlords across the city. Eight8’s new location has been so successful that the company has recruited an additional member of the team to help them manage the workload.
John Hardman, Director, Eight8 Lettings, said: “We were previously based in serviced offices in the Jewellery Quarter and while they were perfectly adequate for us, they lacked a ‘shop front’. Since relocating to this unit, we have already seen a significant increase in the number of drop-ins that we get and our portfolio has increased significantly.
“Taking this fitted-out unit was a real hand in glove situation, with Nikal able to accommodate us and us ready to move in almost immediately We have nothing but praise for the way that Nikal has treated us, the support that they have provided to help us grow our business and the way that we’ve been able to work together. They’ve really helped us along.”
Since opening at the start of 2011, Hive has been a huge success with both students attending the nearby universities and a large number of investors interested in purchasing apartments both on a buy-to-let basis and to occupy themselves.
John Moffat, Development Director, Nikal, said: “John and Karen from Eight8 were fantastic to work with during the first phase of lettings and we were really happy to be able to assist them in providing a suitable location to meet their growing business needs at Masshouse Plaza.
“Having sold the majority of apartments at Hive within 12 months of opening, we felt that downsizing and relocating the sales and marketing suite into our new show apartment was the best thing to do, as it also opened up a commercial opportunity in terms of letting the previous office. We have a longstanding relationship with Eight8 and were more than happy to let the space to them.”