Custodian REIT Plc has commenced a £2 million refurbishment of a central Birmingham office building, to ensure it continues to meet the needs of contemporary occupiers.
The refurbishment of Lancaster House, an elegant 40,000 sq ft office building located prominently at the junction of Newhall Street and Great Charles Street Queensway, will be undertaken by contractors Darwin Park, project managed by Fusion Building Consultancy.
Birmingham independent commercial property agency KWB is both the managing agent and an occupier of Lancaster House. Its Property Management Department will oversee the works and liaise with the tenants during the six month programme of improvements which will include an upgrade to the heating and cooling systems and new windows to all floors, except the ground floor.
Judith Williams, a senior member of KWB’s Property Management team, who manages Lancaster House on behalf of Custodian says: “This refurbishment will make Lancaster House much more energy efficient by replacing the old oil-fired heating system with a modern climate control system and installing new double glazing.
“All the common areas including the reception area and stairways will be refurbished and the external stonework will be repaired and cleaned. The extent of the works mean that there will be some disruption to tenants, but we are working with them to minimise this. As we are based in Lancaster House it is very easy for us to keep a close eye on the works.
“Once the refurbishment is complete Lancaster House should be even more attractive to office occupiers.”
Built in the 1930s, Lancaster House is located the junction of Newhall Street and Great Charles Street Queensway. Its exterior combines the art deco style of the time with influences from the Victorian era, making it a real character property.
Following the refurbishment, KWB has been appointed to market a vacant office suite on the second floor of Lancaster House.