href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>Argent Group is about to press the button on 14,585 sq m (157,000 sq ft) of speculative development at its Brindleyplace mixed-use scheme in Birmingham.
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>The developer is reacting to a shortage of standing prime offices in central Birmingham by starting the 46,450 sq m (500,000 sq ft) second phase speculatively with two buildings off Oozzells Square.
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>Roger Madelin, Argent’s chief executive, said: “Our decision to move ahead with yet another speculative development is a sign of our commitment to providing the very best new offices for Birmingham.”
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>The two units, No. 6 and No. 9 Brindleyplace, will provide 8,546 sq m (92,000 sq ft) and 6,038 sq m (65,000 sq ft) respectively. The latter includes two floors set aside for retail and leisure uses.
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>Occupiers are still looking to take prelets in the scheme. Directline has a requirement for up to 6,503 sq m (70,000 sq ft) while local solicitors Edge & Ellison and Dibb Lupton Allsop are talking to Argent about taking a combined total of up to 10,219 sq m (110,000 sq ft).
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>Argent is now drawing up plans for the final three buildings in the second phase of Brindleyplace and hopes to start constructing them before the end of the year.
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>Following deals with Regus and the Royal Mail, only 2,508 sq m (27,000 sq ft) of completed space is available at Brindleyplace. These floors have only just returned to the market as telecoms giant Ionica has decided to sublet two floors in No. 1.
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>GVA Grimley and Richard Ellis are advising Argent. Carter Jonas is advising Ionica.
href=”http://www.eginew.co.uk/Articles/ArtIcle.aspx?liArticleid=456236″>EGi News 05/06/98
