Bruntwood SciTech Commences £4.5 Million Transformation of Birmingham's Landmark Centre City Building

• Work has now commenced on a significant refurbishment project which will see Centre City transformed, cementing its position as a leading workspace hub.

• New amenities include a grand entrance with striking living wall, fitness and wellness facilities, co-working and new serviced office spaces.

• Limited space now available next to New Street Station and in the heart of the city centre.

Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s largest property provider to the science, technology and innovation sectors, has announced that work has officially begun on its ambitious £4.5 million redevelopment of Centre City in Birmingham.

The landmark 210,000 sq ft building, originally constructed in the 1960s in Birmingham’s vibrant theatre district, is set to undergo a transformative revival to become the city’s new central hub for innovation-led businesses. The redevelopment will see Centre City provide cutting-edge workspace and advanced wellness facilities. It represents a unique opportunity for businesses to scale and grow in a prime city centre location, within touching distance of New Street Station.

With construction now underway, work on the redeveloped Centre City is set to be completed in January 2025, with the new look workspace likely to take on a new name to reflect its transformation. For the first time, this 20 storey building will offer co-working and pay as you go options, complementing its existing leased offices, to offer flexible and scalable options for companies at various stages of growth.

The transformation will also deliver inviting new internal spaces, including a spacious lounge with biophilia and cafe, designed to foster collaboration and wellbeing. Additionally, the basement will be converted to include a high-quality fitness and weights studio, contemplation room and bike storage area, while the ground floor and central atrium will also undergo substantial and impressive renovations. The building’s new entrance will feature a striking living wall, incorporating biophilic design into Birmingham’s bustling city centre.

Centre City boasts a prime location, less than two minutes from Birmingham’s New Street Station and in close proximity to the Bullring Shopping Centre. This presents Centre City customers with unparalleled access to Birmingham’s extensive transport network, including the expanding West Midlands metro network, as well as an extensive retail and amenity offering.

With limited space having recently been made available, Centre City provides a unique opportunity for businesses of any size looking to take advantage of a strategic city centre location, as flexible floor plates ranging in size from 7500-23,000 sq ft are available within the building. New customers will join a diverse community of already established businesses based there, including the Ministry of Justice, the Water Services Regulation Authority, Citizens Advice, Hitachi and one of the UK’s largest insurance companies – Liverpool Victoria.

A joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Bruntwood SciTech underscores its commitment to sustainability and high environmental standards through this latest project. These retrofitting measures will include the installation of HVRF air conditioning in the new basement gym, air quality sensors in reception and atrium, and a new Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) for the building’s water supply in the basement.

Businesses joining Centre City will form part of a thriving community of over 100 innovative companies located across Bruntwood SciTech’s six innovation hubs in Birmingham including Innovation Birmingham, Mclaren, Cornerblock, Cornwall Buildings and Birmingham Health Innovation Campus.

The refurbishment of Centre City is the latest step in Bruntwood SciTech’s broader investment strategy in Birmingham, complementing recent development projects such as Cornerblock, ongoing developments at the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, where No.1 BHIC is due to complete later this summer and the award-winning Enterprise Wharf at Innovation Birmingham. This initiative underscores Bruntwood SciTech’s commitment to enhancing Birmingham’s business landscape and creating a city-wide ecosystem across the region.

Mohammed Ali, senior asset manager for Bruntwood SciTech, said: “The redevelopment of Centre City represents a pivotal moment for Birmingham, underscoring Bruntwood Scitech’s dedication to fostering innovation and economic prosperity in the region. This £4.5 million transformation will introduce state-of-the-art workspaces and amenities, enhancing collaboration, wellbeing and social interaction within a prime city centre location.

“This project offers a unique opportunity for businesses to thrive in a dynamic environment, supported by convenient access to Birmingham’s extensive transport network and vibrant retail offerings. As we progress with construction, we look forward to welcoming a diverse range of leading organisations to this revitalised landmark, further cementing Birmingham’s reputation as a premier destination for business growth.”

Andy Riach, director for Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “We are proud to be part of the transformative redevelopment of Centre City, which will reimagine the building as a central hub for innovative companies in Birmingham. Located next to New Street Station, Centre City will offer unparalleled accessibility and modern facilities, making it an attractive destination for businesses seeking state-of-the-art workspace, but is also one of the only floorplates of its size available in the city centre currently making it a truly unique proposition.

“We have no doubt that demand will be high for this market-leading workspace, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on the local business landscape.”

A team has been appointed to work with Bruntwood SciTech on the redevelopment of Centre City, consisting of Estilo, main contractor, CubicWorks for mechanical and plumbing, fire engineering from Hilson Moran, and structural engineering from DW Consulting Engineers.

Bruntwood SciTech’s agents for Centre City are Avison Young, Lambert Smith Hampton and Savills.