Gensler selects Birmingham as base for new office
GENSLER, the world’s largest architectural firm, is to establish an office in Birmingham as the first step in a major UK expansion plan. The announcement came from the city’s stand at the MIPIM real estate exhibition.
The firm confirmed it is currently assessing the suitability of key locations in the city, and will make a significant investment that will create up to 50 jobs. The Birmingham office will be the firm’s first office outside of its EMEA headquarters in the capital.
Cllr Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am so pleased to have met with Ian Mulcahey, Managing Director of Gensler, here at MIPIM.
“We held exploratory talks in Birmingham earlier this year regarding a major investment in the city and now – on the Birmingham stand at MIPIM – we are talking about the finalisation of that deal.”
Business Birmingham, the city’s inward investment programme, has been working closely with Gensler since late last year to secure the investment. Marek Dobrowolski, investment manager at Business Birmingham, said: “Bringing Gensler to Birmingham is a major success – the firm is a global player in the property sector and its designs are lauded as changing how people interact with their workplace.
“The decision to make Birmingham Gensler’s first UK regional base speaks volumes about how the city is now viewed by the industry.
“The scale of Birmingham’s Big City Plan – its 20 year development vision – in addition to the potential of our City Centre Enterprise Zone, talent pool and proactive strategy to attract inward investment can’t be overlooked in attracting industry leaders like Gensler. These firms are looking for cities that not only think big, but will work closely with them to ensure both their current needs and future aspirations are met.”
Senior executives visited Birmingham earlier this year to meet with council officials and representatives from the city’s business community to learn more about current market opportunities.
Ian Mulcahey, managing director, Gensler, said: “Birmingham has become a key part of our strategic growth plans. We hadn’t considered Birmingham as a location before, but following our meetings we were impressed by the city’s ambitions to create a globally competitive business environment – and the commitment of its public and private sectors to realising them.
“When we visited earlier this year, Business Birmingham, the council and representatives from across the city’s business community were very welcoming and keen to show the real potential that exists in Birmingham for a world-leading architectural practice.
“They highlighted the city’s investment pipeline, its track record of iconic developments and the fact that Birmingham’s public and private sectors pull together to support new businesses and investors. The scale of opportunity and the spirit of partnership that came across was enough to convince us that Birmingham was the place for our first UK regional office.”
Ian Stringer, regional senior director, GVA, added: “The announcement that Gensler will locate its first regional office in Birmingham is a huge vote of confidence for the city’s property market and will further boost its global business reputation. Gensler is a major player and its investment could have a significant halo effect for Birmingham.”
Gensler is a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm with more than 3,000 professionals in over 40 global locations across America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
