Birmingham city centre office take-up hits 153,550 sq ft as demand for top quality space continues

The Birmingham city centre office market hit 153,550 sq ft of take-up during Q1 despite economic challenges.
Despite just 18 deals taking place, the total square footage achieved was in line with average take up.
The two largest transactions of the quarter were both to occupiers in the education sector, which has been growing in Birmingham over recent years.
The largest deal saw QA Higher Education (QAHE) take 45,180 sq ft of Grade A space at Louisa Ryland House on Newhall Street, which has recently undergone a multimillion-pound refurbishment.
The second largest letting was to Aston University, which took the last 27,006 sq ft at The Citadel building in Corporation Street, which is being refurbished.
Other companies which upgraded their office space during Q1 included insurance company AON which took 22.709 sq ft at The Colmore Building.
Legal firm Weightmans also relocated to a smaller 12,158 sq ft base at 103 Colmore Row, which is one of the last remaining floorplates at the landmark office building.
Malcolm Jones, head of office agency at KWB said: “This trend for high quality stock remains and fortunately there are commercial property landlords and investors bringing forward more refurbished high quality office space to help meet demand.
“This includes the 171,834 sq ft Colmore Gate which was purchased by Ashtrom Properties in September and will be refurbished inside and out. 200,000 sq ft is also planned at the former John Lewis store at Grand Central, and Lendlease has plans for a £1.9bn regeneration project at the Smithfield site, where 330,000 sqft of office space would be delivered in the first phase.”