PATRIZIA UK announces that it has secured its first tenant at its newly refurbished 79,156 sq ft central Birmingham office building, Edmund House. PATRIZIA UK acquired the asset in a joint venture with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree) and has since undertaken an extensive refurbishment to transform it into a modern, Grade A office space with high quality facilities.
Gleeson Recruitment Group, the professional services recruitment specialist, has taken the entire 6,335 sq ft eighth floor of Edmund House. Located in Birmingham’s Central Business District, the letting is Gleeson’s first permanent premises in the city. With offices in London and Reading, Gleeson has fast made a name for itself in the city and has taken the decision to be fully based in the city to allow for future growth as the business continues to win more work in Birmingham’s booming commercial sector.
Prominently situated in Birmingham’s office core, the 10-storey Edmund House is well placed for occupiers looking for high specification space in a prime location. Floorplates range from 6,321 sq ft to 8,104 sq ft and can provide cellular or open plan office spaces with dual aspect windows on all levels that flood the floorplates with light. Two other floors are also currently under offer, which would take the building to circa 40% let.
Andy Brooksbank, Head of Investment Management at PATRIZIA UK, said: “Edmund House was one of our first acquisitions in the UK. The fabric of the building, its floorplate, flexibility and location justify the high quality refurbishment that we have undertaken. The specification, combined with a keen pricing strategy in terms of rent and service charge, enables us to provide a unique offer in this key regional market. We welcome Gleeson to Edmund House and look forward to signing further tenants in the near future.”
Jason Blakey, Director at Gleeson Recruitment Group, said: “Since we opened our initial office in Birmingham in 2011 we have gone from strength to strength. Birmingham is an extremely exciting place to be right now and the time is right for us to put down some proper roots here. Edmund House had the right offer – price, location and accommodation to suit us.”
Theo Holmes, Associate Director at CBRE, said: “Edmund House is competitively priced under Birmingham’s headline levels, but still has a superior offer in terms of its specification and facilities when compared to much of the current city offer. As such it represents a great option for firms like Gleeson, who have become accustomed to a high quality office environment but are looking for a greater identity within Birmingham’s established central business district.”
Within easy walking distance from both Snow Hill and New Street stations, works undertaken at Edmund House include a complete upgrade of the office floors, new VRF air conditioning system and new male, female and disabled WCs. Amenities within the building include an impressive entrance and reception area and a secure two-storey car park as well as an independent cycle storage area with showers, changing facilities and drying area.
The joint letting agents are CBRE and GBR Phoenix Beard. Marcus Hayes from BOSS represented Gleeson Recruitment Group.
