If you ever need any confirmation that a plesant locatrion is important when it comes to choosing an office, then take a stroll to Quay Place, near Brindleyplace, Birmingham.

Two new tenants have signed up over the last few months, leaving just 9,000 sq ft of high quality, air-conditioned office space beside the Second City's historic canals. Quay Place is now home to the new West Midlands headquarters of British Waterways, the organisation responsible for regenerating and maintaining more than 2,000 miles of canal network through the UK.

It is also now home sweet home for the West Midlands Local Government Association and West Midlands Regional Assembly.

Six modern office buildings totalling some 100,000 sq ft make up the office campus scheme, around a secure central courtyard.

Ross Bendall, of letting agents CB Richard Ellis, says: "Office space in this area of the city is highly sought-after and Quay Place offers value for money and exceptional security in this most attractive canalside location.

"We are confident that we will be making further announcements on new lettings during the early part of this year."

His optimism is shared by Paul James, of British Waterways, who says: "We decided that opening an office canalside in Birmingham would be an ideal location for our West Midlands' base.

"Birmingham has a flagship waterfront that has been recognised worldwide. As with many canalside locations, it is deceptively central, just a few minutes walk from Brindleyplace, Centenary  Square and the Convention Quarter, and just a short drive away from the motorway connections."

WMLGA has taken one-and-a-half floors in Albert House, located in a secure courtyard setting, with the benefit of 24 onsite secure car parking spaces. Stephen Hind, of WMLGA, says: "As a voluntary association representing the 38 local authorities in the West  Midlands region - covering the West Midlands Metropolitan area as well as Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire - we felt it was vital to have our headquarters in an easily accessible and visible location.

"The superb position - by the ICC, NIA and Brindleyplace and close to the city centre - was a major draw, and the appeal of Quay Place was certainly added to by the high specification office space, onsite car parking provision and the secure working environment."

Quay Place is now roughly 90 per cent let. Other tenants already based at Quay Place include Comsite Projects, Countryside Agency, PR firm Harrison & Cowley, OFSTED and Trinity Publications. CB Richard Ellis acted for Quay Place Investments Limited and WMLGA were represented by KWB and British Waterways represented itself.