A £35 million office-to-hotel conversion in Birmingham city centre has taken a step closer to completion with the appointment of a property and construction consultancy.

The Birmingham office of national consultants DBK will act as employer’s agent at the transformation of One Martineau Place from redundant offices into a 168-room Staybridge Suites Hotel and provide building surveying, CDM and quantity surveying advice.

The change of use at the 13 storey office block, located above the Martineau Place shopping centre on Corporation Street, is being undertaken by development and finance firm Cannock Group.

There will also be new retail units at ground floor level, where the Midland Metro Line One extension will pass.

Mike Tracey, managing director of Cannock Developments, which has offices in Birmingham and Banbury, said: “DBK’s excellent track record clinched its appointment.

“The team has the right experience and an innovative approach.”

The hotel which will be operated under InterContinental Hotel Group’s Staybridge Suite brand offers extended stay guests spacious living areas and fully equipped kitchens.

Martineau Place marks Cannock Developments’ third hotel refurbishment in Birmingham, following the successful funding and completion of a 157-bedroom Premier Inn and the redevelopment of Cumberland House on Broad Steeet, which was transformed from disused offices into a 285-bedroom Hampton by Hilton Hotel, the largest of its kind in Europe and fourth largest in the world.

Duncan Berry, managing partner of DBK, which has offices on Bradford Street, added: “The completion of Martineau Place will significantly improve a Birmingham city centre landmark and bring a decayed building back into use.”