Size
67,000 sq ft
Location
Birmingham
Activity
Property & Coworking
Duration
19 weeks
Office Principles North has delivered a groundbreaking office refurbishment at one of Birmingham’s premier business locations.
We have transformed 67,000 sq ft of office space at Charles House and 154 Great Charles Street on behalf of landlord, Ergo Real Estate.
The project has introduced enhanced occupier amenities, including state-of-the-art antiviral lighting and an air purifying system across two buildings, as well as a new private roof garden with expansive views of the city skyline.
Ergo Real Estate is a UK asset management and investment company operating in the real estate sector. Its team has extensive experience in the UK property sector, having developed or managed well over 10 million sq ft of prime real estate.
Ergo specialises in the opportunistic and value-add sectors and its joint venture with NFUM and Aver Property LP, targets total investment of £300 million.
Overview
Charles House and 154 Great Charles Street form part of the Great Charles Street Estate.
The two buildings are sited close to the Paradise and Arena Central regeneration schemes, on the northern edge of Birmingham city centre, adjacent to PwC’s headquarters.
The Great Charles street estate is also the main route connecting the city to the A38 and other national motorway links.
Ergo Real Estate wanted to capitalise on this advantageous city centre location by creating a series of collaborative work environments that would be attractive to occupiers post-Covid.
The scheme would retain the identity of the two buildings but link them together through shared and enhanced amenities.
Project completion
The fit out has delivered stylish and contemporary office accommodation across the ground and nine upper floors of the two buildings.
The interior benefits from a striking new reception and common areas, as well as stand out features such as exposed services, breakout spaces and communal meeting rooms.
Both properties have been fitted with FUZONE500, a lighting solution that harnesses antiviral and antibacterial properties to keep spaces clean and safe.
FUZONE 500 uses the natural properties of ozone (O3) to eliminate up to 99.99% of bacteria and airborne viruses without direct contact with treated areas and can be operated while the office is fully occupied.
A second four-week phase of the project has seen the transformation of an unused rooftop plant space, to create a stunning meeting and entertainment space with views across the Birmingham skyline.
We’ve installed a floating steel frame, with bespoke fixed and loose seating, and 153 sq metres of recycled composite decking, complete with power sockets.
Every section of steel was spliced and welded on site, with all materials transported via a passenger lift to the 8th floor and assembled on the rooftop above.
The pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way we work and the office has to adapt to meet those needs. Ergo Real Estate has invested in a comprehensive office refurbishment project that enhances the air quality and wellbeing aspects of both properties. It not only delivers modern office accommodation in the heart of Birmingham’s business district but provides a solution that guarantees to keep spaces clean and safe 24/7 in a Covid-19 world.
Working with Office Principles has been a positive experience for the Ergo team. We were looking for a company to help us create innovative occupier space and to deliver a collaborative working environment for our two buildings on Great Charles Street and the team at Office Principles rose to the challenge. Alongside the creation of the Great Charles Street brand, Office Principles’ design has linked these buildings together with their shared amenities, whilst each maintaining an individual identity. Office Principles delivered their concept ideas through clear presentation and worked closely with us to realise the vision, which I am sure will be instrumental in the letting of these office suites.