Fort Dunlop wins BCO Test of Time Award
Award winning regeneration company Urban Splash has had its Fort Dunlop scheme recognised with a prestigious national accolade, cementing its reputation as Birmingham's most desired office location.
The British Council for Offices (BCO) awarded the landmark building the 'Test of Time' award last night. The award, only in its second year, recognised the scheme's ability to live up to its original aspirations and effectiveness in coping with occupancy requirements over time - something validated by the building's current 97% let status and its letting of more than 30,000 sq ft in 2011 alone.
Emily Handslip, head of lettings at Urban Splash who collected the award on behalf of the company said: "We are simply thrilled with this award. The BCO is the authority on the provision of offices in the UK so it's fantastic to have them recognise the impact Fort Dunlop has made in this sector."
Fort Dunlop was redeveloped by Urban Splash six years ago when they transformed it from a derelict former factory into over 300,000 sq ft of commercial space with floor plates of 50,000 sq ft through to individual units of 1,000 sq ft. The architect's - Shed KM - also included a new build 100-bed hotel in their designs. The building was developed entirely speculatively but has consistently kept at over 90% occupied through intensive management.
It is a major pull for a mix of businesses, from national corporations looking for a regional base through to businesses in the Midlands looking for headquarters. Key tenants include Capita and Trinity Mirror who operate the Birmingham Post from the building. The offering is supported by ground floor retail and leisure occupiers including Scoff sandwich and coffee bar, convenience store and the Duet restaurant.
Another key USP of the building, and something which has contributed to its success in the award, is its support of existing tenants as they grow. A number of tenants since moving into the building have taken additional space including national training company Elmfield who last year took additional 15,000 sq ft of space increasing their offices to 19,000 sq ft. Emily continued: “We always listen to our tenants as they look to increase or change their presence here at the building, its one of the many attractions; the ultimate offer being high grade office suites with all the usual top end specification that you would expect in a £25 per sq ft city centre Grade A office scheme.”
Just one unit now remains at the scheme and further on this can be obtained from Urban Splash or via their joint agents GVA (george.jennings@gva.co.uk) and DTZ (matthewlong@dtz.com)
ENDS
Award winning property developer Urban Splash is the country's leading regeneration company. It delivers true mixed-use schemes including residential property of all tenures, commercial office, retail and a hotel.
Founded in 1993 by Tom Bloxham MBE and Jonathan Falkingham, the company has its head office in Manchester with regional offices in Liverpool, Bradford, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester.
Urban Splash has delivered challenging and exciting regeneration projects across the country including Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, Chimney Pot Park in Salford, Castlefield and New Islington in Manchester, The Midland Hotel in Morecambe, Royal William Yard in Plymouth, Lister Mills in Bradford, Rotunda in Birmingham, Matchworks in Garston and the Ropewalks in Liverpool.
In total the company has delivered hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new homes and commercial space.
The company has received 318 awards to date for its commitment to architecture, design, regeneration and business success including 41 RIBA Awards the most won by a property developer.
