Fast growing civil and structural engineering consultancy CWA Ltd has been appointed to deliver the civil and structural engineering work for the major £30 million refurbishment of one of the city centre’s most significant office buildings.
The Birmingham-based consultancy has secured the contract to carry out the work on the historic 55 Colmore Row. The 130,000 sq ft building was bought by IM Properties last year in a £35 million deal.
The building, which faces Colmore Row and Barwick Street, is being transformed into much needed prime Grade A office space in a major refurbishment and remodelling exercise. Morgan Sindall has been appointed as the main contractor for the renovation.
CWA director Dave Copeland said the consultancy was delighted to be involved in a project to transform such a significant building which has played a role in Birmingham’s economic history.
“This building goes back to the commercial development of this part of Birmingham in the 1870s. In the past it was occupied by Barclays Bank and within the building there is a magnificent banking hall. The Victorian façade on Colmore Row is also of historical significance. This will be a challenging job, combining modern, prime office space with a magnificent nineteenth century building,” he said.
CWA Ltd – based in the Jewellery Quarter – was established in 2011 as Copeland Wedge Associates. The consultancy provides civil and structural design consultancy services to a wide range of sectors including leisure, residential, education, health, industrial, retail, infrastructure and public bodies.
Major clients include Willmott Dixon Construction and Housing, Balfour Beatty, Seven Capital, RO Developments, Prologis, IM Properties, Speller Metcalfe, Wates Construction and Bullock Construction.
The company has delivered buildings for major end-user clients including West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Northamptonshire County Council, Housing 21, Midland Heart, Rooftop Housing, Orbit Homes, Chevin Homes, Wrekin Housing, University of Warwick, Aston University, Coventry Sports Foundation and Marks and Spencer.