Pictured above: (l-r) Sean Atkins (Bildurn), Chris Taylor (Smith Cooper), Craig Straw (Innes England), Adam Youatt (Berryman) and Peter Thornley (Fraser Brown)

Smith Cooper, one of the Midlands' most progressive firms of accountants, is moving its Nottingham office to Lace Market Square, at the heart of the vibrant Lace Market area.

The team of 40, currently based in Sherwood, will be located in a new Grade A 5,900 sq ft (529.5 sq m) space at the £10m contemporary mixed use scheme.

Bildurn Properties is behind the development which features a public square, the first of its kind in Nottingham's famous Lace Market. The square's sculptural metal trees, wall decoration and paving were designed by award winning landscape design team Wolfgang and Heron. The scheme was conceived by Bildurn in response to Nottingham City Council's aspiration for a contemporary centre piece to this important Conservation Area. Bildurn, who specialise in urban real estate development, is also the team behind nearby Pod and Pod Office scheme.  

As well as 46 apartments, Lace Market Square houses a striking, glazed Pavilion providing 3,154 sq ft (293 sq m) of Grade A offices, a unique new build space within the city centre which is currently available.

Chris Taylor, Managing Director at Smith Cooper Nottingham commented; "Lace Market Square is perfect for us, in the heart of the city it is ideally located for both business and private clients, many of whom are already based in this area. The flexibility of the space and the great public transport links make it very attractive for our team.

"We really wanted a new build property which is very hard to come by in the city centre. Choosing somewhere a little different for a professional services firm epitomises our outlook as a firm that thinks outside the box."

The move to the new site in the spring coincides with Smith Cooper's 25th anniversary and the launch of a fresh new brand image.

Craig Straw, Director at Innes England, worked closely with Smith Cooper and Bildurn to gain planning consent.  Innes England is a key member of the Nottingham Office Forum, a group of property and regeneration professionals, under the auspices of the Invest in Nottingham Club - the private-public partnership group which promotes development of the city economy. Their recent report Nottingham Commercial Office Market Review 2010 highlights the challenge that faces those looking for Grade A new office space in the city.  Craig added: "Bildurn's approach demonstrates how thinking creatively can provide a fantastic solution. Securing office consent and welcoming Smith Cooper to the square enables this city location to be a dynamic centre piece and we now expect added interest in The Pavilion which is a unique offering in the City Centre."

Bildurn Properties Director Sean Akins comments "Lace Market Square is ideal for office use being perfectly positioned at the heart of Nottingham and close by all of the amenities a city centre worker needs, from award winning restaurants to the latest fashion brands, all are within 5 minutes walk." 

Lace Market Square has recently been recognised by English Heritage in a good practice guide for improving historic areas, which credits sensitive planning for the scheme "having improved the amenity and viability of this important conservation area." 

Bildurn was advised by Adam Youatt (Head of Property Team) at Berryman who commented "This is yet another example of Bildurn's highly creative approach to providing sought after high quality accommodation in Nottingham.  We were very pleased to be involved in a successful outcome, for both Bildurn and Smith Cooper, in such a great city centre location."

Smith Cooper was advised by Peter Thornley (Managing Partner, Commercial Property) at Fraser Brown. He said, "We were very pleased to be able to assist Smith Cooper in making this move into the Lace Market. The area's proximity to the rest of the city centre means it is a popular location for businesses and Lace Market Square's potential makes it a prestigious address for the firm."  

Bildurn is also behind the iconic building the Pod and its new Pod Office space. The modernist Pod, a 108,000 sq ft (10,033 sq m) iconic building has led the way for contemporary architecture in the city. This multi-award winning, £25m seven storey development is occupied by leading blue chip brands Tesco, Dwell and Accor (with its 142 roomed Ibis hotel brand). 

Joint agents for Lace Market Square are Innes England and Nattrass Giles.