Planning permission has been approved for Two Brindley, Aver’s 90,000 sq ft, Birmingham office refurbishment within the extensive canal-side office, retail and leisure estate Brindleyplace.
Two Brindley, purchased in November 2018, was the first property acquired by Aver, the joint venture between Ergo RE and NFU Mutual. Two Brindley is part of Aver’s 187,000 sq ft office refurbishment portfolio which includes 23 Wilson Street, EC2 and Curtis Building, W8 in London and 148 and 154 Great Charles Street in Birmingham.
The former occupants vacated on lease expiry in March 2022, providing the opportunity for Aver to renew and reinvigorate the building, providing a high quality, sustainable office development which addresses the needs of the future workplace. Works will increase the floor area from 76,000 sq ft to 90,000sq ft.
The completed scheme will comprise an impressive new two-storey entrance facade and new entrance lobby/reception, enhancing the buildings key interface with Central Square and Oozells Street.
Internally, the comprehensive refurbishment of the building includes complete replacement of all mechanical and electrical services with highly sustainable and energy efficient systems, contributing to Two Brindley being the first office refurbishment in Birmingham to target an EPC A and other appropriate building accreditations.
The addition of a single storey rooftop extension on the seventh floor, creating two roof terraces, will result in a more cohesively proportioned building with generous external amenity spaces. An upgraded replacement facade on sixth floor will improve the thermal efficiency of the building and improve the connection between the new rooftop extension and the existing building below.
Wellbeing is equally high on the agenda and improved staff amenities will include cycle facilities, showers, wellness centre, quiet contemplation area and presentation room, completing the transformation of this building.
James Jepson Ergo RE comments:
“Ensuring the sustainable credentials of Two Brindley has been key to our approach, working collaboratively with the project team we have ensured that 80% of the existing structure will remain in place, which will cut the schemes embodied carbon by over 50% in comparison to a new-build office. By listening to evolving occupier demands we aim to futureproof Two Brindley for many years to come thus minimising the impact on the environment.”
Rhys Westacott Project Lead at 5Plus says:
“The part-demolition, part-extension and complete refurbishment will reinvigorate the building into an attractive commercial workplace. There are a number of new additions to the existing building, creating a sustainable structure which will help businesses offer their colleagues an enhanced occupier experience. These include: a new top floor extension hosting external roof top amenity spaces, new external facades to ground, first, sixth and seventh floor, and a new entrance lobby/reception creating generous staff facilities and a unique wellness suite and presentation room”
The building is due to be completed in November 2023.
The professional team involved is:
Architects – 5 Plus
Service Engineers and Sustainability – Hoare Lea
QS – G&T
Structural engineers – Watermans
Project Managers – MPG Shreeves
Planning advisers – Turley
Letting agents are Colliers and JLL.