Fort Dunlop named best workplace in BCO awards

BIRMINGHAM’S iconic Fort Dunlop building has been named as one of the best workplaces in the country by the British Council for Offices.

The development has won the ‘Test of Time’ title in the BCO’s National Awards and the recognition comes after the building originally won the ‘Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace’ award in 2008.

Fort Dunlop’s developer, Urban Splash, was awarded for its ability to ensure the building continued to respond to changes in occupier requirements, while maintaining a 96% occupancy rate with 54 tenants in a challenging property market.

The judges were particularly impressed by the building’s flexibility, accommodating tenants of varying sizes through a range of unit sizes and the ability to move internal walls. In addition, the building has deployed a number of energy reduction measures such as the replacement of standard bulbs with LEDs, PIRs (passive infrared sensors) in the landlord areas, and performance improvements in the building’s water loop system.

David Partridge, Joint Chief Executive of Argent and BCO Awards chairman, said: “Urban Splash won an award in 2008 for its impressive transformation of a sadly neglected monolith of a building. The company has continued to improve on this transformation, and it is the building’s huge popularity with its occupiers that is the ultimate proof of success – making it a worthy winner of the ‘Test of Time’ award.”

Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Against the context of another tough year for the UK economy, the office sector continues to demonstrate how it can deliver value beyond its core purpose.

“Businesses are increasingly reaping the benefits of workplaces that reinforce and reflect their corporate identity, improve efficiency in working practices, and boost staff morale. Fort Dunlop is an outstanding example of this, and shows how built-in flexibility can see a development continue to adapt to meet changing occupier needs for many years to come.”