Cannock appointed to transform New Street office scheme
NETWORK Rail and Birmingham City Council have appointed Cannock Developments to develop the 1960s Ladywood House office block above New Street station into new Grade A office accommodation, to be named One Grand Central.
The property group will start developing the 100,000 sq ft building early next year in what will be the first major new office building at the station following its £600m transformation. The scheme is due to complete in 2015.
Cannock’s Mike Tracey said: “Without doubt this is an exciting and significant project for the Cannock Group in Birmingham and we are delighted to have been appointed to bring forward One Grand Central.
“A complete back to frame refurbishment of the building will ensure that this landmark building is highly attractive to modern office occupiers at a time when the quantity of quality office stock in the city is diminishing.”
John Griffiths, of agents GBR Phoenix Beard, is advising Cannock. He said: “The development will provide a major boost to the central Birmingham office market at a time when supply is running out. Major transport hubs have proved hugely attractive to businesses across the UK and early interest in One Grand Central is further proof of this.”
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail project director, added: “This planning application marks another important milestone in our extensive project to redevelop Birmingham New Street station. When complete, the new offices will have unrivalled travel connectivity, with the new integrated station incorporating the city’s metro extension right on the building’s doorstep.”
A planning application submitted by Whitbread in 2008 had proposed converting the building from offices into a 335-room Premier Inn.
