Bruntwood’s ‘Cornerblock’ practically completes with a trio of new lettings

Bruntwood, the family-owned property development company, has practically completed the redevelopment of the new ‘Cornerblock’ building, located adjacent to Snow Hill train station in Birmingham city centre. A hat-trick of lettings has also been announced as Bruntwood confirms Arcadis, Beazley and Finance 4 Business as the first three customers to take residence at their new flagship building in Birmingham.

Cornerblock, redesigned by award-winning Glenn Howells Architects, offers 110,000 sq ft of Grade A workspace, and with offices available from 5,000 sq ft is it already proving hugely successful in attracting businesses to the Colmore Business District.

The £14 million redevelopment, is the first building in Birmingham to have officially achieved an ‘A rated’ EPC and comprises vibrant and inspiring workspace environments with wireless connectivity.

Cornerblock also boasts Birmingham’s largest private roof terrace to encourage collaboration and networking between customers as well as a raft of health and wellbeing initiatives such as a free-to-use gym, showers and secure bike storage to encourage customers to cycle to work.

Design, engineering and consultancy firm Arcadis has taken 22,953 sq ft across the first and second floors. Specialist insurance company, Beazley, will take the 11,787 sq ft eighth floor and Finance 4 Business have secured a 4,510 sq ft office suite on the ninth floor in addition to some private roof terrace space.

Keith Hobden, partner at Arcadis, said: "Our move to Cornerblock is a seminal moment for the Arcadis brand in Birmingham, occupying one of the most prominent and modern offices within the central business district of the city.

“The facilities provided by Bruntwood at Cornerblock are exceptional and our people are already commenting on the amazing working environment that they now enjoy."

Munira Hirji, Head of Commercial Management at Beazley said: “We selected Birmingham as the focus for our regional expansion and Cornerblock has given us the canvas to design our new office around the innovative and creative principles of activity-based working. This includes unique opportunities to use the roof terrace and our own rooftop pavilion.”

Founder and Managing Director of Finance 4 Business, Russell Martin said: “Moving to Cornerblock will allow us to move ahead with our ambitious growth plans in a fantastic workspace where our staff can continue to provide the great support to our clients and lenders that we are renowned for.”

Rob Valentine, Director of Bruntwood in Birmingham, said: “Completing Cornerblock with such high-calibre customers, together with a strong pipeline of interest is a reflection of both the quality and great location of the development.

“We are delighted that the reaction has been so positive and to open the doors with 36 per cent of the building already let and 35 per cent in solicitors’ hands is very exciting. The profile and reputation of the customers we have on board is testament to the customer service proposition we have created here as well as the excellence of the build and we are looking forward to seeing our customer community grow.”