Work has now been completed on a £2.5 million refurbishment that has breathed new life into one of Birmingham’s most well-known commercial buildings.
The 18-storey Bank House, located on Cherry Street, now features an extended, reconfigured reception area, new central mechanical plant and fully refurbished floor plates, bringing it up to Grade A specification and providing some of the best office accommodation available in the city.
The flexible floor plates of c.4,700 sq ft can be easily subdivided into suites from 1,100 sq ft with stunning views across the central business district from the upper floors, which also benefit from outstanding levels of natural light on all four elevations.
The exterior has also received a significant enhancement with a double-height glass façade wrapping around the reception on two elevations, redefining the main entrance and creating an impressive sense of arrival.
Alongside secure parking, bicycle storage and shower facilities have been incorporated into the basement which has become an important requirement for occupiers.
Purchased by F&C REIT in 2010, Bank House, which is being jointly let by agents GBR Phoenix Beard and DTZ, has been a key fixture on the Birmingham skyline for 50 years. The building has become synonymous with the city’s professional services sector and boasts an impressive existing occupier base.
Daniel Plummer, Head of Regional Offices, F&C REIT, said: “This is a well known building in a strategic location within Birmingham City Centre. Since the economic downturn, Birmingham has seen virtually no speculative refurbishment of any scale, which is crucial to align this kind of building with the requirements of the modern workplace.
“From inception we always saw Bank House as a real opportunity to deliver the very highest quality office space in the city which would rival the new buildings, none of which have the top floors remaining or can accommodate the needs of the smaller occupiers seeking this kind of quality. These works are the first phase in a rolling programme that will reposition Bank House as one of the most desirable office locations in the city.
“With speculative new build not yet a viable option for developers and pre-lets taking a number of years to bring forward, we are confident that Bank House can satisfy immediate demand at this critical stage in the market.”
Situated within Birmingham’s established Central Business District (CBD) – just a stone’s throw from Colmore Row – Bank House lies close to many of the city’s professional services and blue chip occupiers, including SGH Martineau, PwC, Eversheds, Lloyds Banking Group, KPMG, Barclays and Wragge & Co.
Ben Thacker, GBR Phoenix Beard, said: “Bank House is a truly iconic landmark building within the city and one that will be well known to many working in the professional service industry.
“One of the key advantages of Bank House are the floor plates, which are the perfect size for the majority of typical Birmingham occupiers, coupled with the sheer amount of natural light across all floors and some truly stunning views across the city.”
David Tonks, DTZ, said: “This has been a comprehensive refurbishment that has encompassed every aspect of the building, from the floors and ceilings, to the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, a brand new air conditioning system and lifts.
“Bank House is in a unique location within the city, with key transport links such as Snow Hill and New Street train stations just a few minutes away on foot and easy access to Birmingham’s retail and commercial districts.”
Current occupiers at Bank House include Bank of Tokyo, GE Commercial Finance, Nationwide Building Society, Gerald Eve, St Philips Chambers, Shepherd Developments, Catalyst Corporate Finance and Barclays.