‘Topping out’ at Providence Place, West Bromwich | Offices.org.uk

‘Topping out’ at Providence Place, West Bromwich

Posted on by John Cronin

The final brick has been laid during a ‘topping out’ ceremony at a new office building in West Bromwich.

Providence PlaceThe 5-storey block at Providence Place (pictured) is the first new-build office in West Bromwich for more than 3 decades. Offering some 70,000 sq ft of floor space, the building is the first of potentially 5 new office schemes totalling 245,000 sq ft.

The development site was originally known as All Saints but was rebranded earlier this year. Developers behind the multi-million  pound scheme are Birmingham-based Stoford.

In a joint public-private sector venture, BT and Sandwell Council are to occupy the new offices. 500 members of staff from Transform Sandwell are to occupy the building along with BT employees. A hot-desk system is being implemented along with flexible working practices to maximise office usage.

Commenting on the new building, Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell’s cabinet member for jobs and economy, said: “It’s fantastic to see this superb building completed. Providence Place is a vital part of the redevelopment of the town as high quality office space will help attract new investment.”

It is likely that construction of subsequent phases at Providence Place will only commence once pre-let agreements have been secured. That was certainly the view of Jon Andrews of Stoford who, when plans for the development were first submitted in late 2008 said: “We are now in discussion with other potential blue chip occupiers that are interested in pre-letting the remaining [space]”. Mr Andrews also suggested that rental prices of around £20 / sq ft would be approximately 30% less than those for comparable office space in central Birmingham.

The offices are expected to be officially opened in October.

 

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