Argentinian steak restaurant chain Gaucho has struck a deal to make its Birmingham debut at IM Properties redevelopment of 55 Colmore Row.
The London-based operator has taken a 5,000 sq ft unit on the lower ground floor of the office block which is currently undergoing a £30m redevelopment and refurbishment. Terms were undisclosed. The restaurant will sit on the corner of Church Street and Colmore Row, with a dedicated entrance on Church Street opposite the proposed new entrance for the Grand Hotel.
Gaucho currently has 12 restaurants in London plus one in Leeds and Manchester. Birmingham was chosen as its next destination for regional expansion for its growth potential and rising profile as a food destination.
Founder and chief executive of Gaucho, Zeev Godik, said: “We have been looking at Birmingham for some time but finding the right location was crucial. It had to look and feel right for the brand.”
A total of 15,000 sq ft of restaurant space is being developed on 55 Colmore Row’s lower ground floor and Gaucho is the scheme’s first leisure tenant. Leisure and retail specialist BWD is in talks with other interested operators for the remaining leisure space.
The deal with Gaucho follows on from law firm Pinsent Mason taking 40,000 sq ft of offices within the 160,000 sq ft office element earlier this year. When the scheme completes this autumn, the building will provide the largest amount of available grade-A office space currently available in the city.
Birmingham has recently seen a raft of mid-market leisure operators debut in the city – including Cau, The Botanist, The Alchemist and Gusto – on the back of high profile development and infrastructure project openings such as the Grand Central shopping centre, The Mailbox and the redevelopment of New Street station.
Insight Retail Consulting advised Gaucho.
• To send feedback e-mail lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com or Tweet @eglisap or @estatesgazette
