Direct Line is tipped to take a prelet at Miller Developments’ Snow Hill House scheme in Birmingham city centre. The insurance company has a longstanding requirement for 5,574 sq m (60,000 sq ft) for a call centre operation.
If a deal is secured, it will be a boost for Miller which secured the controversial Snow Hill house site on Livery Street for its first scheme in Birmingham earlier this year and has beaten off competition from Argent’s Brindleyplace, which was also shortlisted by Direct Line.
David Allen of David Allen Associates, which is advising Direct Line, would not comment. However, the insurer is thought to have chosen the site on Livery Street though not yet agreed terms.
Freeholder Scottish Widows put Snow Hill House back to the market following its failure to complete a £4m deal with developers Sir Robert McAlpine and Business Homes.
Direct Line is looking to take advantage of a break clause in March 2000 and move from its current offices on Colmore Row in the city centre. Originally, its requirement was for a new, air-conditioned building with floorplates between 743 sq m to 1,114 sq m (8,000 and 12,000 sq ft). Prelets entered its thinking because of the lack of such standing space in the city centre.
Richard Ellis is advising Miller.
EGi News 08/10/98
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