Birmingham office block to undergo £4.5m facelift work

A Birmingham city centre office block is undergoing a £4.5million refurbishment programme.

Work has started on the scheme at Centre City, at the corner of Hill Street and Smallbrook Queensway, which will see new amenities installed such as a living wall and fitness facilities.

For the first time, the 20-storey building will have co-working and pay-as-you-go options for hiring deskspace alongside its existing leased offices.

There will also be a new café, a lounge, contemplation room and bike storage area while the ground floor and central atrium will also undergo renovation work.

Retrofitting measures will include the installation of air conditioning in the new basement gym, air-quality sensors in reception and atrium and a new air source heat pump for the building's water supply.

The project is expected to be completed by January and could also result in the building being given a new name, according to its landlord.

Centre City was constructed in the 1960s and covers 210,000 sq ft, counting Ministry of Justice, Citizens Advice and Hitachi among its current tenants.

The complex is owned by Bruntwood SciTech, the owner of other well-known Birmingham buildings such as Mclaren, Cornwall Buildings and Innovation Birmingham next to Aston University.

The Manchester-based company is also leading on the new Health Innovation Campus in partnership with University of Birmingham in Selly Oak.

Mohammed Ali, senior asset manager for Bruntwood SciTech, said: "The redevelopment of Centre City represents a pivotal moment for Birmingham, underscoring our dedication to fostering innovation and economic prosperity in the region.

"This £4.5 million transformation will introduce state-of-the-art workspaces and amenities, enhancing collaboration, wellbeing and social interaction within a prime city centre location.

"This project offers a unique opportunity for businesses to thrive in a dynamic environment, supported by convenient access to Birmingham's extensive transport network and vibrant retail offerings.

"As we progress with construction, we look forward to welcoming a diverse range of leading organisations to this revitalised landmark, further cementing Birmingham's reputation as a premier destination for business growth."

The project team includes Estilo, CubicWorks, Hilson Moran and DW Consulting Engineers while retained property agencies for Centre City are Avison Young, Lambert Smith Hampton and Savills.