Developer Urban Splash - the firm behind the transformation of Fort Dunlop and the Rotunda buildings in Birmingham - yesterday posted pretax profits of £5 million for the year to March 31.

The firm said a revaluation of its properties had resulted in an increase in net assets from £ 30 . 4 million to £41.2 million, making a total for the year of £10.8 million.

Chairman Tom Bloxham described the figures as " another solid set of results illustrating our growth as a company".

He added: "Urban Splash has a reputation as one of the most respected regeneration companies in the country and this is further recognised by the awards we won in the year.

"I am particularly pleased to see our expansion nationwide, we now have a presence in Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Bradford, Birmingham and Plymouth.

" Our team has been strengthened with the new director appointments showing Urban Splash has the ability to attract the best talent from major corporate institutions and also appointed seven associate directors as we foster our inhouse team.

"Urban Splash is striving to be an employer of choice within the property industry and this is further reinforced by our 12th position in the Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work for List."

During the year Urban Splash started work on site at Fort Dunlop to transform the iconic former tyre factory into 345,000 sq ft of commercial office and retail space, the largest speculative office build outside London.

"It will be ready for tenant fit out from summer next year," he added.

Work started on the complex, which last produced a tyre in 1980, in 2004.

The redevelopment will create bars and retail on the ground floor, 300,000 sq ft of offices and a 100-bed Travelodge hotel.

Urban Splash also moved its Liverpool office into a larger space at the newly completed Vanilla Factory and new regional offices were opened in Bradford, Bristol, Plymouth and Birmingham joining the established Urban Splash head office at Timber Wharf, Castlefield, Manchester.

Since March 31 the firm has continued to make good progress with new commercial lettings and excellent residential sales, particularly with the public launch in May of Will Alsop's Chips building at New Islington and more recently the Rotunda in Birmingham city centre - at both events people queued overnight to ensure their new apartments.

Urban Splash began work in August on the £25 million landmark scheme, which is expected to be finished by early

But before the doors of Urban Splash's sales office in St Martin's Square opened for business, 140 of the 232 flats had already been sold to an investor.

Currently Urban Splash has over £70 million worth of exchanged forward sales of apartments.

Mr Bloxham said: "The market remains very competitive.

"We have been thrilled, however, by the success of our public sales events, particularly Rotunda where despite the hard conditions the fact that all 232 apartments are sold shows that with the right quality product and the right location, supported by the Urban Splash brand and marketing, there is still huge demand for quality homes."