Global alternative asset manger The Carlyle Group (“Carlyle”) has completed a letting of 6,700 sq ft on the third floor of prime Birmingham office building, Colmore Plaza to infrastructure support service provider Amey Plc.
The letting is an extension to Amey’s existing 52,000 sq ft of Grade A space on the building’s fourth and fifth floors, which it has occupied since 2009, and has been let on a coterminous lease extending to 2020.
The newly acquired space will become home to Amey’s highways, utilities, environmental and waste services and defence teams as well as enabling an expansion of the company’s International Design Hub, which is already located within the building.
Nicky Barker, The Carlyle Group, said: “There can be no denying that there is a renewed sense of optimism in the commercial occupier market that has seen a spike in interest from occupiers interested in well positioned Grade A space in Birmingham.
“Amey has been a longstanding occupier at Colmore Plaza and their decision to grow their existing presence in the building speaks volumes about the quality of the Colmore Plaza’s working environments, flexible floorplates and location within the central business district.
“This is yet another piece of inward investment for Birmingham that continues to demonstrate the city’s appeal as a top business destination.”
Founded in 1921, Amey now employs 21,000 people working across the UK and currently operates over 320 contracts across a range of sectors including utilities, highways, waste management, rail, social housing and facilities management, and provides consultation and asset management services.
Nick Gregg, Managing Director for Amey’s Government Division, said:
“The current developments throughout Birmingham, alongside access to a highly skilled local employee base and proximity to public transport and the national motorway system, makes this a very appealing office location.
“We have received nothing but positive feedback from our employees already located in Colmore Plaza, so expanding our facilities in the building was a natural choice for our company as we pursue ambitious growth targets and continue to develop relationships in the city.”
Alongside Amey, Colmore Plaza is home to a diverse range of tenants including Marsh, Investec Wealth & Investment, Aecom, Orega, Aedas, Grant Thornton, Robert Half International and Vodafone, which completed a letting for 22,924 sq ft earlier this year.
Cushman & Wakefield – who are joint letting agents at Colmore Plaza with GVA – acted on behalf of the Carlyle Group in the completion of the deal. Quoted rents for Colmore Plaza are £27.50.
Tenants at Colmore Plaza enjoy a broad range of services including access to a health and wellbeing clinic, car valet service, running club, shoe repair and dry cleaning services, alongside access to fitness sessions run by British Military Fitness.
A loyalty card providing offers at city retailers is also available to all building occupiers and development of an on-site gym and extended shower and cycle storage facilities is due to be completed shortly.