Pictured above: The new look property in High Street,
Birmingham
A retail property in the heart of Birmingham's shopping district
has made a 'quantum leap' from tired 1960s blandness to exciting
state-of-the-art glass fronted modernity.
The building is in High Street, which is celebrating the opening
of a major new store by Curry's/PC World, the final tenant to move
into the fully redeveloped site.
Redevelopment of the building began three years ago - and the
whole process, from project management through to letting, has been
carried out by Birmingham-based Cushman & Wakefield.
The firm's retail partner, Rob Alston, said that the company had
advised throughout the development, on the redevelopment strategy,
the project management of the construction work, and the investment
aspects of the scheme, including its recent sale on behalf of the
Wellcome Trust, as part of a deal involving a portfolio of
properties worth £90m.
"This building has made a quantum leap from a drab 1960s block
with uninspiring tenants to a stunning modern retail environment,"
he said.
"This had to happen in order to attract top quality tenants -
and it shows what a national firm like Cushman & Wakefield can
do in terms of advising on all aspects of redevelopment," he
said.
Initial tenants of the refurbished building were Barclays and
Orange, and gymnasium operator The Gym has taken space on the
second and third floor.
Curry's and PC World have moved into 15,000 sq ft (1,393 sq m)
of space over three floors at a rental of £450,000 per annum.
It is only the second time that the two have shared a store.
Curry's was formerly based in the Bullring, but surrendered the
lease on its unit there in order to move to the more economical
High Street development.