55 Colmore Row scoops top award
THE restoration of one of Birmingham’s most well-known and historic business addresses was among the winners at a regional property awards.
The conversion of 55 Colmore Row from a single occupier building to a modern office block was praised by judges at the tenth British Council for Offices’ (BCO) Midlands and Central England awards.
For decades, the building provided a home for law firm Wragge & Co, now known as Gowling WLG, before it moved to a new head office at Two Snowhill in 2014.
Birmingham-based group IM Properties carried out a £30 million renovation project to create new office space and bring its ground-floor banking hall life.
BCO judges handed it the best refurbished/recycled workplace at its ceremony at Town Hall Birmingham.
The panel highlighted the fact many challenges had been overcome by the developer, including the successful incorporation of the original Victorian banking hall and existing stone façades into the finished complex. It is now home to law firm Pinsent Masons and property consultancy Savills.
Also taking home an award was Alpha Works, the new serviced office space within Alpha Tower which was historic back to launched following a £1 million conversion project.
It opened last year on the 21st and 22nd floors and has offices, hot desks, private areas and breakout and event spaces.
Alpha Works was named the winner for projects up to 1,500 sq metres, with judges feeling it delivered a prototype for a regional serviced office space.
The BCO Awards recognise the highest quality office developments across the UK with regional winners going through to the national ceremony in London on October 2.
One Friargate in Coventry took the ward in the corporate workspace category.