A key Birmingham law firm has completed a refurbishment after the building spent nearly two years in scaffolding.

Hammonds, in Rutland House, Edmund Street, started the overhaul of the office early in 2008. Its 200 staff have spent the past two years using a side exit, while most of the building was closed off.

Changes include a ground-floor café, an executive lounge and a new double-height entrance to the building. The offices have also undergone a complete exterior facelift.

Ian Forrest, office head for Hammonds in Birmingham, said: “This £11 million project provides us with a platform for the firm’s future in the city.”

Hammonds has had a challenging last year, but has secured a number of encouraging contracts and new recruits.

Corporate senior associate Christian Lowis and pensions senior associate Sarah Franklin were both made partner, and Simon Garbett was recruited to lead the dispute resolution team.

It has also recently been announced that Mr Forrest will be stepping down as head of the office at the end of April 2010, after almost six years in the position.