The first steps are being taken to create a major mixed-use development in the heart of Coventry.
The former Co-Op building in Corporation Street is being transformed into ‘The Co-Operative’, a mix of high-spec apartments, office, retail and leisure.
The work is due to start in the next month on ‘Hawkins’, the office element of the scheme. The new offices are being launched by Coventry based agents, Shortland Penn + Moore, on behalf of award winning developers EDG Property.
Hawkins is a key part of The Co-Operative development and will see the period building transformed into modern open-plan offices in a prime location.
The refurbished first and second floor office space will be served by a stylish, new ground floor reception accessed from Corporation Street and will sit above a new, glass-fronted restaurant/retail outlet.
As part of the Hawkins development, EDG Property will be restoring the period sash windows and professionally restoring the external stone and brickwork feature façade.
The office space is available either as a whole or as separate floors, which are each just under 2,000 sq ft.
Jonathan Moore, a director of SP+M, said: “It’s great to be working with EDG Property on this project, which is very important for Coventry.
“This area of the city is undergoing a major transformation and The Co-Operative is the central, key catalyst for this.
“The offices are going to be refurbished to a very high standard and will be extremely attractive to businesses who are looking to be at the heart of the city centre’s regeneration.”
Plans for EDG Property’s scheme were approved in June to transform the iconic 1950s former Co-Op building into high-specification residential apartments set around a new internal parkland.
The company, which is retaining the mid-century architecture including the existing lettering on The Co-Operative frontage, is investing heavily in the scheme which is set to reshape the city.
The Co-Operative development will also include residents’-only gym areas, a private residents’ park and exclusive members’ lounge with rooftop terrace.
Neil Edginton, managing director of EDG Property said the offices were an important element of the scheme.
He said: “I am very pleased to have Shortland Penn + Moore on board as our office agents and we believe we are bringing ‘cool’ office space to the market. We believe the offices will appeal to both creative and corporate companies wanting to be at the centre of the wonderful redevelopment in Coventry, with first class amenity on the doorstep and excellent transport links.
“The Co-Operative is going to blend 1950s architecture with 21st Century comfort and style in both the residential space and offices. We have every confidence that, while this is something new for Coventry, it’s going to be very popular.”
