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Hot on the heels of its first office tenant announcement, Urban Splash, the award-winning developer behind Fort Dunlop, has announced a prestigious retail hat trick for the iconic building.

Being redeveloped as a complete business park under one roof, the landmark has attracted the first three of several retail brands to open their doors this autumn within the inspirational commercial space.

Contemporary furniture and home accessories store, Dwell, has chosen Fort Dunlop as the home for its first retail outlet outside of London, with a 12,000 square foot ground floor space. As a major retail tenant at Fort Dunlop, Dwell will take the west elevation unit benefits from full glazing to all aspects, and looks out upon the striking blue 100-bed new hotel extension that has been let to Travelodge. Dwell will open later in 2006.

Relocating from the Custard Factory, the well established Snap Galleries is taking 2,000 square feet on the ground floor. Opening at the beginning of November, the space will be devoted to bringing together one of the world’s finest collections of iconic rock and roll photographs. Using a clean, light and contemporary design, it will make the most of the columned space within Fort Dunlop for its high quality portraits and regular exhibitions.

The Daily Grind Coffee Company is a Birmingham-based coffee outlet that will sell fine quality freshly hand ground coffee, smoothies, juices and light bites such as paninis and hand made cakes. A new venture, it will enjoy a 600 square foot unit on the ground floor, adjacent to the newly created atrium area. Opening before the end of the year, the flagship outlet will incorporate a contemporary retro look.

Fort Dunlop’s retail hat trick announcement comes just one week after it publicised Boxer as its first the first office tenant that will open its doors before the end of 2006. The UK’s fastest growing design consultancy, Boxer, and its sister company, The Marketing Store, are relocating from their Coleshill base to a second floor 7,674 square feet unit at the landmark building.

Nathan Cornish is Associate Director for Development at Urban Splash: “Fort Dunlop is an exciting design led scheme where the six upper floors are offices. The retail mix on ground floor is, therefore, incredibly important and is essential to complement the office space and the buildings design led emphasis.

“A quality coffee shop, a great furniture store and an exciting art gallery is exactly what we wanted so we are delighted that they have all signed. With space from just £10 per square foot and Fort Dunlop open for business this year there are plenty more announcements on their way.”

More details on Fort Dunlop can be found at www.fortdunlop.com. More details on Urban Splash can be found at www.urbansplash.co.uk. Lettings are being managed by GVA Grimley on 0121 236 8236 and DTZ Debenham Tie Leung on 0121 200 2050 and Urban Splash on 07000 70 40 40.