Sterling Property Ventures has agreed terms with global luxury restaurant and bar group D&D London to launch a rooftop restaurant at 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham’s tallest new office tower.
Sterling, the developer behind 103 Colmore Row, has agreed a 25-year lease with D&D on 6,412 sq ft on the 23rd and 24th floors, plus 1,653 sq ft on part of the ground floor.
D&D was founded in 2006 by Des Gunewardena and David Loewi and has since established itself as a major player on the international restaurant scene. D&D currently owns and operates a collection of 43 diverse restaurants, bars and one hotel based principally in London, but also with locations in Manchester, Leeds, Paris and New York. Its London restaurants include Bluebird Chelsea, German Gymnasium, Quaglinos, Coq d’Argent and Sartoria.
The rooftop restaurant at 103 Colmore Row will be on the 24th floor and will have a double-height space offering diners panoramic views across the city and beyond. The kitchen and back of house will be located on the 23rd floor.
D&D will also operate a ground floor cocktail bar and café, with an outdoor terrace that will form an integral part of the building’s feature winter garden.
The restaurant will have a self-contained entrance, with access to the upper floors from two dedicated restaurant lifts leading directly from the ground floor cocktail bar.
The anticipated opening date for both venues is autumn 2021.
Des Gunewardena, chairman and CEO of D&D London, said: “We have been looking to open a restaurant in Birmingham for some time now, just waiting to find right site. With its central location and unrivalled rooftop views, 103 Colmore Row provides us with a fabulous opportunity to join the city’s thriving restaurant scene. Following our Leeds and Manchester openings, and with a Bristol launch planned for later this year, our 103 Colmore Row venture reflects our continued commitment to expansion in the UK outside of London.”
103 Colmore Row will comprise 223,631 sq ft of Grade A office space over 26 floors. At 346ft/105.5m high, with the apex 246m above sea level, it is the tallest new office building under construction outside London.
Designed by architects Doone Silver Kerr, the landmark building features a winter garden, 18th floor terrace and multi-purpose lobby business lounges. It is scheduled to be completed in summer 2021.
James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, said: “Since we revealed plans for a rooftop restaurant at 103 Colmore Row, news of the appointed operator has been eagerly awaited.
“In what we believe is the best restaurant space in Birmingham, in what will be the best office building, we couldn’t think of a better operator than D&D to partner with on both the rooftop restaurant and ground floor café and bar. The restaurant space will complement the building, further anchoring it as Birmingham’s best business address.
“Coupled with D&D’s experience of operating highly successful landmark restaurants, it promises to deliver something truly special for Birmingham’s thriving dining scene.”
The office space at 103 Colmore Row is being marketed by joint agents Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank.
