City News

Award-winning property developer Urban Splash has today announced that the building’s target lettings have been achieved two years earlier than anticipated and just a year from its opening date.

 With the announcement today that two new tenants have secured offices at Fort Dunlop, taking the total amount of space let up to a staggering 321,000 sq ft, the development is now 96% let in just 12 months.  Exceeding all expectations, the rapid allocation of space cements Fort Dunlop’s success and heralds a major boost to the Midlands’ economy.

The latest companies to sign up to the design-led scheme are serviced office provider, Regus, (16,500 sq ft) and insurance broker, Premium Choice (12,500 sq ft).

A former tyre warehouse which stood derelict for more than 25 years, Fort Dunlop is now buzzing with activity and will soon house 2,500 workers.  In addition, a choice of independent retailers and a 100-bed hotel service visitors from across the country.

Nathan Cornish is managing director of Urban Splash Midlands, “It’s fantastic to see how the Birmingham market has reacted to such a design led product.  That said, the speed at which tenants have signed up has surpassed even our expectations.”

“We are delighted with the quality of the offices and the tenants seem to be very happy too.  The success of the entire development, from construction to lettings, to design and marketing has been a great achievement for Urban Splash.  We’ve picked up 11 awards for Fort Dunlop so far and we hope they keep on coming.”

Companies which have already taken space at Fort Dunlop include ICT provider Service Birmingham, media group Trinity Mirror, construction company Fitzpatrick and international manufacturing technologies company MAG. These are complemented by handpicked retailers such as coffee shop, The Daily Grind, salad bar, Leaf and wine bar, Vinappris.

Charles Toogood of GVA Grimley is joint agent on the scheme:  “Fort Dunlop is one of the largest speculative mixed use ventures in Birmingham’s history.  To let nearly all of a scheme this size and quality in a year is unbeaten.  We’ve had companies falling over themselves to rent space.”

Commenting on why he feels Fort Dunlop has been a success, Charles said: “What sets Fort Dunlop apart is Urban Splash’s vision and that they have actually delivered their vision – you can’t say that about a lot of schemes.  Fort Dunlop is different, contemporary and offers a lifestyle which today’s workers are looking for.”

David Jones, a real estate partner at Eversheds in Birmingham, provided legal advice to Urban Splash from the initial acquisition of Fort Dunlop to occupier lettings: “Fort Dunlop is a great regeneration success story, which has and will continue to enhance the commercial, retail and leisure offering of Birmingham.

“It’s been a very exciting project for our team, working alongside Urban Splash to bring this landmark back to life. The icing on the cake was to exchange the key lettings to both the Birmingham Post and Capita within a six week timeframe.”

Explaining why Premium Choice is relocating to Fort Dunlop, the insurance broker’s operations director, Mark Woods, said:  “We’re an ambitious company looking to grow and we want our offices to reflect a positive, modern image.  We also recognise where people work has become a lifestyle choice so we were looking for an environment which our staff would enjoy.

“As well as being a fantastic building, Fort Dunlop provides many other benefits. The roof top terrace, gym, wine bar and day nursery are all attractions our staff are interested in - and a happy workforce is a productive workforce.”

With only six units remaining in the entire building, Urban Splash expects the final 15,000 sq ft to go very soon.