The latest phase in the evolution of Edgbaston is under way with the #11 million refurbishment of iconic office building 54 Hagley Road, by owners Capital & Counties.

Situated in the heart of Edgbaston's commercial district bounded by Hagley, Harborne and Calthorpe Roads, the upgraded 54 Hagley Road will launch 100,000 sqft of Grade A office space onto the market.

The upgrade will double the current car parking ratio to one car space per 527 sqft of office accommodation in surface, underground and multi-storey car parks, four times the normal level in the city centre.

With vehicular and pedestrian access from both Hagley and Harborne Roads, and excellent local transport links 54 Hagley Road offers significant communication advantages to staff. The proposed Metro extension from Snow Hill would stop outside the building.

The comprehensive refurbishment includes the installation of new air conditioning, six new lifts, new suspended ceilings and LG7 compatible lighting systems. The work will also provide clean open plan floor plates with carpeted raised floors, upgraded toilets and showers and improved disabled facilities.

One of the most striking new features will be a new double height fully-glazed entrance, providing a central reception facility with WiFi enabled waiting area and coffee shop. Meeting rooms for hire by tenants will also be available.

A distinctive entrance canopy will provide a focal point for the building, maximising visibility from Hagley Road. The mature landscaped setting of the building will be retained and enhanced.

An eye-catching advertising campaign will emphasise how the building is evolving to meet modern occupier needs and will stand out from the crowd in an area starved of high quality office space.

Jonathan Carmalt, the partner heading the office agency team at King Sturge in Birmingham who is marketing the accommodation, says that the building can accommodate both single occupiers and multi-tenanted requirements.

To the west of the reception 55,000 sqft can be occupied as a self contained headquarters by a single occupier. To the east, separate floors from 5,350 sqft will also be available in the part of the building already occupied by Yell and HSBC.

"At a quoting rent of #18.50 psf compared to prime city centre rents of #30 psf, 54 Hagley Road represents excellent value to occupiers," added Mr Carmalt.

"With the recent arrival of the Big Lottery Fund in Edgbaston, major projects such as the planned redevelopment of Edgbaston Shopping Centre and the already first class sporting and leisure facilities on the doorstep, including Birmingham's two Michelin starred restaurants, the area is being rediscovered as a prime office location."

Ian Mashen of Capital & Counties added: "Capital & Counties is focused on meeting occupiers' requirements.

"When 54 Hagley Road comes on stream next year the refurbished offices will provide Edgbaston's best available office accommodation."

* 54 Hagley Road's show suite will be available for viewing from December.

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