The figures, released by the Birmingham Office Market Forum (BOMF), reveal that when added to the 81 deals totalling 650,542 sq ft recorded in the first three quarters of the year, the 2017 year-end total take up amounts to 1,005,072 sq ft in 130 deals.
This compares with:
•692,729 sq ft in 139 deals for 2016
•970,458 sq ft in 132 deals for 2015
•713,460 sq ft in 148 deals for 2014
•664,147 sq ft in 128 deals for 2013
BOMF said the 2017 outcome is a record take up year, beating the previous high seen in 2015.
It added that office take up was boosted by the emergence of HS2 related demand together with the government committing to the largest prelet seen in the city for a decade.
In addition, key larger transactions were concluded in the Professional Services and the Serviced Office sectors.
BOMF said: “Breaking 1m sq. ft. office take up for the first time is extremely positive for Birmingham during the current period of unprecedented development activity and further regeneration, visible across the BOMF area. It is also particularly encouraging bearing in mind the slow first half of the year following on from the dip seen in the previous year’s total.”
CoStar News revealed in October that Regus was in talks for two lettings in the city totalling 100,000 sq ft as it responds in part to the number of banking, outsourcing and infrastructure clients seeking a flexible solution on the back of major inward investment moves to the city by groups such as HSBC and HS2.
In October CoStar News revealed that Regus was taking AG Dunedin’s refurbishment of the Crossway building – formerly Civic House – on the corner of Great Charles Street.
Regus is leasing 76,000 sq ft on a circa 10-year lease with an option to buy at the end of the term. Rents at the building are around £22 per sq ft.
Savills, GVA and LSH advise AG Dunedin.
Separately CoStar News revealed in October that Regus was in talks to take offices at Legal & General and Ediston Real Estate’s makeover of the Lewis Building, one of Birmingham’s most well-known landmark buildings. In September a £20m refurbishment of the former department store on Bull Street completed delivering circa 113,000 sq ft of offices across seven floors.
Regus has now exchanged to take 33,293 sqft of offices on part of the ground floor and the first and second floor.
CBRE and GVA are the appointed leasing agents. JLL is advising Regus.
By Paul Norman – CoStar, Thursday, January 04, 2018
