Italian chain Zizzi and Argentinian-themed restaurant CAU are to open new outlets in Brindleyplace.

The companies, the latter of which is new to Birmingham, have signed deals to launch restaurants on the ground floor of Three Brindleyplace with talks ongoing to secure a tenant for a third unit.

They join a long list of recent announcements by restaurant chains which are opening in Birmingham including Viva Brazil and Le Bistrot Pierre.

Last summer, the Post reported that new plans had been lodged to convert part of the ground floor from office accommodation into two restaurant units, either side of the main entrance.

Interest has been so great that the owners recently decided to expand the plan to take in further space at the rear and create a third unit.

CAU, which stands for Carne Argentina Unica, was inspired by the founders' love of Buenos Aires and currently runs 13 restaurants, most of which are in the South East.

The team, which currently has no presence in the Midlands, is also behind the Argentinian restaurant chain Gaucho.

Both CAU and Zizzi, which is also planning to open a restaurant in the former ABC cinema in New Street, have taken 4,000 sq ft each.

The third unit will be 5,000 sq ft at the rear of the building and will overlook the canal. All three are expected to be completed by autumn 2016.

The project will include the realignment of the building's existing reception, installation of new dedicated entrances and creation of outside seating areas beneath the double-height colonnade.

Owned by Hines and Lone Star and asset managed by Hines, Moorfield Group and Hudson Advisors, Three Brindleyplace is home to companies such property consultancy Bilfinger GVA, HR consultancy Towers Watson and serviced office supplier i2 Office.

Existing tenants on the ground floor will be transferred to alternative space within the building as part of the programme of works.

The Brindleyplace estate is already home to a wide range of cafés, bars and restaurants including Edmunds Fine Dining, Costa Coffee, Café Rouge, Pizza Express and All Bar One among several others.

Raj Rajput, from Hines, said: "By enhancing the leisure and retail mix, we are cementing the reputation of Brindleyplace as a truly 24-hour destination, with first-class commercial accommodation and blue chip occupiers balanced by a range of outstanding bars and restaurants.

"CAU and Zizzi will boost the estate's existing offering, providing an even greater range of options for estate occupiers and visitors, in a great location that overlooks Central Square on one side and the canal network on the other."

EJ Hales marketed the units on behalf of Hines.