Official Birmingham Development Thread 37!

[sefton66]

Davenports are looking for a 2 acre site in the city centre to open a brewery

BIRMINGHAM’S legendary Davenports marked 185 years of brewing by unveiling a special plaque and revealed they are looking to move back to the city.

Davenports started brewing beer in Birmingham back in 1827 with Robert Davenport and is best known for “Beer at Home Delivery” from their former site at Bath Row.

The site is currently The Maltings student accommodation with 827 rooms owned and managed by University College Birmingham.


Paul Steeples, brand development director for Davenports, said the company is looking to open a new brewery in Brum – which could create up from 50 to 100 jobs, and is searching for a suitable site.

Mr Steeples said: “We are very pleased that Davenports has been recognised again. It’s synonymous with the city and we are keen to bring the brewing process back to Birmingham.

“We are looking for around two acres in the city centre. It would have been nice to have it here, I’m sure the students would have liked it and the original brewery well was here. But we have to look at infrastructure and road links.”

Mr Steeples said Davenports Walsall Brewery would continue to make the Highgate brand as they looked for a new city site.

Davenports have called one of their ales B15 in honour of the site.

The ceremony was followed by a procession led by a traditional horse- drawn dray and delivery vehicles through Broad Street.

The cart made a delivery at the City Tavern off Broad Street – one of Davenport’s pubs.

Mr Steeples was also confident of keeping up the famous Davenport at Home tradition with the use of the internet for home deliveries.

The Artesian well at the Bath Row site was some 700 feet deep, and took five years to sink in 1928. The well was acquired by University College Birmingham as part of the sale of the site.

The Davenports fleet of delivery vans has been branded with a bright new logo and the website has undergone a makeover.

Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/t...#ixzz1tF6rmYhv

[DBadger]

I know it's not Birmingham, but they should take on the old Springfield Brewery, Wolverhampton.

[sefton66]

Merchant Navy Pensions takes Edgbaston space

Last updated: 26th Apr 2012 at 08:15am

Merchant Navy Pensions Administration (MNPA) has signed a five-year lease on a property on Hagley Road in Edgbaston.

The business has taken 5,575 sq ft at Fifty4 Hagley Road after moving from another premises on the same road.

MNPA opened its first Birmingham office in 2009 and now employs 20 staff in the city.


"We are currently pursuing a number of prospects and feel confident new clients will like the services and quality of working environment we have to offer," said Tracy Weller, MNPA's administration director. "We wanted modern, light, open-plan offices which gave us a fresh new appeal."

Jon Carmalt from Jones Lang LaSalle acts as joint agent with GBR Phonenix Beard on the scheme.

Simon Robinson from GBR Phonenix Beard, who brokered the deal, said: "Fifty4 Hagley Road continues to offer extremely competitive terms on some of the best grade A space available in Edgbaston which is home to well known names in the city including the Tribunal Services, Shoosmiths and Francis Graves."

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/...13-/index.html

[Brum X]

[sefton66]

Birmingham in fashion for investors
27 April 2012 | By Sarah Stewart
DTZ buys £16m first phase of Caxtongate and Temple Street mixed-use asset on market for £6.34m. Sarah Stewart reports

FULL article...
http://www.propertyweek.com/news/new...035606.article

[sefton66]

And another, Hines have started 5 Brindley Place Refurb

Hines starts makeover of 5 Brindleyplace
27 April 2012
“Our rental aspiration for this building is to secure top-of-the-market rents,” says Igor Mathias, asset manager at Hines, which owns 5 Brindleyplace.

Full Article...
http://www.propertyweek.com/news/new...035607.article

[sefton66]

Could this possibly mean a start on the courts at masshouse?

10 firms win £600m Ministry of Justice panel place
Aaron Morby | Wed 18th April | 7:39

The Ministry of Justice has awarded places on its £600m construction framework.

Balfour Beatty, ISG, Lend Lease and Vinci came up trumps securing places on the major projects element and two regional area deals.

MoJ alliance framework for construction

National

Balfour Beatty, Interserve, ISG, Lend Lease, Kier, Vinci

South

Balfour Beatty, Interserve, ISG, Lend Lease, Vinci

East

Balfour Beatty, Lend Lease, Shaylor Group, Shepherd, Vinci

North

Henry Boot, ISG, Kier; Miller, Vinci

The national framework covers projects worth more than £10m and could be worth up to £150m over the six-year term.

Anywhere between £50 and £150m will be spent in each region covering the north, south and east. The regional frameworks take in smaller jobs from £150,000-£10m.

Work encompasses new build, alterations, refurbishment and maintenance work and can be used across prison estates, court estates, the probation service and tribunals.

Additionally, there is the potential for other Government clients to also procure construction services through the framework.

Carillion, Galliford Try, Skanska and Wates were understood to have bid but failed to win a place.

Managing Director of Interserve Building, Ian Renhard said: ”These appointments build on our twenty-year track record as a leading provider of services in the justice sector.

“We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the Ministry of Justice under this Strategic Alliance Agreement.”

ISG said it was optimistic about the promise of work through the framework.

Under the previous MoJ framework, ISG had just one regional category – the North – and to date has delivered in excess of 40 projects valued at over £82m.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/...e-panel-place/

[sefton66]

Another small letting

Lockton takes lease on city centre office
Apr 27 2012
Insurance giant Lockton has taken a 10 year lease on offices of almost 7,000 sq ft on the sixth floor of 45 Church Street in the heart of Birmingham.

The office will serve as the base for Lockton’s Midlands operations with staff currently operating from Bank House relocating to the new offices this summer. 45 Church Street, owned and developed by Standard Life Investments, is already home to Coutts & Co, Hyman Robertson, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Brown Shipley and Mazars.

Debbie Day, managing partner of Lockton in Birmingham, said: “Birmingham remains an extremely important regional market for Lockton.

“We are committed to understanding the markets our clients operate in, and we organise our services along sector lines, for example manufacturing, aerospace and defence, and professional and financial services.

“The Midlands is home to so many leading, multinational organisations in our chosen markets, making this a natural location for investment.

“The office move demonstrates our intent to invest in client relationships, offering global insurance services to the market.”

Ben Thacker, head of office agency at GBR Phoenix Beard which did the deal, said: “Lockton’s requirements were very clear from the outset in terms of the quality of office environment and type of building they were seeking to facilitate the growth of their Birmingham operations. In this regard 45 Church Street met the brief exactly.

“Major considerations in their decision were the profile of the other occupiers in the building, the flexibility for growth and the desire to secure a location which would place them at the heart of the central Birmingham business community.”

Matthew Long of DTZ, who advised the landlord Standard Life Investments, added: “45 Church Street goes from strength to strength as one of Birmingham’s premier, flagship Grade A office locations. Lockton’s announcement is another vote of confidence in the development which will receive a further boost this summer when the works to create a new public square on Church Street complete.”

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmin...#ixzz1tNCCfeJW

[sefton66]

Looks like after a slow start to the year in office take up a few lettings are all coming in now

Insurance broker makes a move to Brindleyplace
Apr 27 2012

Insurance broker Hettle Andrews & Associates is the latest tenant to sign up at Eleven Brindleyplace.

The company is relocating from its current home in Edgbaston after signing a 10 year lease for 3,718 sq ft on the ninth floor of the building.

Hettle Andrews will be joining existing occupiers including Friend LLP, Robert Walters, the West Midlands headquarters of the Institute of Directors, building owner Argent and Colliers International.

Jo Andrews, a director at Hettle Andrews, said: “Brindleyplace represents the perfect combination of an outstanding established business destination, combined with a host of social amenities.”


James Heather, senior project director at Argent, added: “There is strong competition within the Birmingham office market, however Eleven Brindleyplace is the only new-build BREEAM Excellent property in Birmingham specifically constructed to meet the requirements of smaller occupiers.

Argent was advised by GVA and GBR Phoenix Beard.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmin...#ixzz1tNF0hJ7Q

[SuttonBluenose]

Originally Posted by sefton66

Could this possibly mean a start on the courts at masshouse?

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/...e-panel-place/

Makes sense Sefton.

[sefton66]

Potential refurb?

Wembley Central retail to go under the hammer
30 April 2012 | By Patrick Gower
Part of St Modwen’s Wembley Central is to be to be sold at auction this month, alongside Birmingham’s O2 academy music venue

http://www.propertyweek.com/news/wem...035869.article

[sefton66]

Solar Power UK moving its exhibition from ICC to NEC for a bigger event, Also signed up for 2013 and 2014

SOLAR POWER UK LOOKS TO A BIGGER, BRIGHTER FUTURE AT THE NEC
Monday, April 30, 2012
The growth of solar power in the UK is being reflected in a move for the country’s largest dedicated solar event.

Solar Power UK will take place from October 2-4 2012 and brings together three days of education, hands-on learning and the most innovative products to hit the UK solar market.

The exhibition and conference is moving from its previous home at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) to its sister venue, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). This year’s repositioning of the show from one NEC Group venue to another showcases the Group’s strengths and flexibility in catering for the needs of its clients.

Around 10,000 visitors are expected to head to the NEC this year, with future events already booked at the venue for 2013 and 2014. Re-locating at the NEC means that Solar Power UK can take advantage of the larger spaces available to accommodate the predicted expansion.

Joy Brettschneider, of organiser Solar Media, said: “As Solar Power UK continues to grow, the move to the NEC will give us the flexibility and room to really harness the developing interest in the industry.”

The event focuses on high-quality content and networking opportunities for a range of visitors, including tradesmen, manufacturers, distributors, research institutions and other bodies connected with the solar industry.

“We expect to see many more international visitors and exhibitors paying attention to Solar Power UK, and we are looking forward to another hugely successful event in Birmingham,” added Brettschneider.

The event enjoyed great success after moving to the Midlands in 2011, cementing its place as the premier gathering for the industry.

Kathryn James, Managing Director of the NEC, said: “We are committed to helping our clients move their events forward and it’s great that we’re able to support that within our Group. We will pick up where the ICC left off in successfully hosting a fantastic and popular event and now look forward to welcoming the many exhibitors and visitors to the event’s new home later this year.”

http://www.necgroup.co.uk/news-and-m...re-at-the-nec/

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by sefton66

Potential refurb?


http://www.propertyweek.com/news/wem...035869.article

Ay, I don't get this?

[Engels]

Can I just say that with elections on Thursday whatever everyone plans on voting in terms of party can you all please remember to vote YES to a Birmingham mayor.

Its not a perfect idea at all but will lead to more power being devolved from Westminster to our city and therefore more decisions about what is best for Birmingham being made locally - it'll mean we are more likely to see creative solutions to local issues or new ways of financing projects

Its not clear what new powers will be devolved right now - whole process is the wrong way around (But) its far better we grab the opportunity now as otherwise wee risk it won't come around for another generation if we don't
(edited to make more sense)

[PSS1980]

Originally Posted by Engels

Can I just say that with elections on Thursday whatever everyone plans on voting in terms of party can you all please remember to vote YES to a Birmingham mayor.

Its not a perfect idea at all but will lead to more power being devolved from Westminster to our city and therefore more decisions about what is best for Birmingham being made locally - it'll mean we are more likely to see creative solutions to local issues or new ways of financing projects

Its not clear what new powers will be devolved right now - whole process is the wrong way around its far better we grab the opportunity now

For me its a YES....

[Brum X]

Im a YES also

[DBadger]

Bit pissed that I can't vote on it, meaning the Birmingham mayor is just Birmingham then...

[Typhoon2000]

Yes from me but I doubt it'll have a major impact - at least, however, it will allow us to channel our wishes and concerns to a particular figure head that we know has specific powers to influence some policy - I'd have preferred a West Midlands mayor rather than just a Birmingham mayor. The chances of the local authorities dumping their egos and working for the common good of the West Midlands... zero.

[woodhousen]

Is Birmingham the only West Midlands Authority voting on a mayor?

[mikey23]

Coventry as well.

Full list: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle Upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.