Press
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The fragmenting effect of Local Enterprise Partnerships could lead to the West Midlands falling further behind other parts of the UK
Splitting up the area currently covered by Advantage West Midlands into around six Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) will adversely affect vital fledgling sectors such as knowledge-based businesses, reports David Hardman, managing director of Birmingham Science Park Aston.
Located on the edge of the city centre, Birmingham Science Park Aston – which has recently re-branded – is [...] -
FIDELITY PURCHASES £22.7m MIDLANDS PROPERTY PORTFOLIO FROM IM PROPERTIES
Fidelity’s UK Real Estate Fund has purchased a £22.7m portfolio of modern industrial and office buildings across the Midlands from IM Properties, reflecting a net initial yield of 8.9 per cent.
Comprising 250,000 sq ft of quality accommodation across a mixture of single let and multi let assets, the portfolio is currently let to 13 tenants including Severn Trent, [...] -
REDEDICATION CEREMONY HELD FOR WAR MEMORIAL
St. Modwen, the developer behind the new £33million Warwickshire College Rugby Centre has hosted a rededication ceremony for the newly relocated British Thomson-Houston (BTH) war memorial in Rugby.
Comprising a Grade 2 listed landmark monument and two memorial benches, the war memorial is a key part of the town’s history, dating back to 1921. It has [...] -
LONGBRIDGE DEMOLITION CLEARS THE WAY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
St. Modwen is continuing to clear the way for future employment and residential space at Longbridge, with the demolition of 270,000 square feet of empty buildings off Lickey Road.
Situated on the Longbridge North area of the £1 billion regeneration scheme, the Paint Plant A and Dalmuir buildings were once part of the car production plant [...] -
ELEVEN BRINDLEYPLACE NAMED BEST COMMERCIAL WORKPLACE
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has recognised Argent’s Eleven Brindleyplace as one of the finest workspaces in the Midlands & East Anglia at its annual regional awards.
Eleven Brindleyplace was named Best Commercial Workplace for being a carefully considered, high quality multi-let office building. The judges thought that this was an architecturally impressive building and [...] -
DRIVERS JONAS DELOITTE SECURES PLANNING FOR NEW BIRMINGHAM TRAVELODGE
The Birmingham office of Drivers Jonas Deloitte has secured planning approval for the development of a new Travelodge in Birmingham city centre on behalf of Realis Estates.
The £7 million project will see the development of an 88 bedroom hotel and a 4,000 sq ft retail unit within the scheme’s ground floor, street facing level. The [...] -
A MIXED BUDGET FOR PROPERTY: DELOITTE AND DRIVERS JONAS COMMENT
REITs
Phil Nicklin, Real Estate Tax Partner at Deloitte, comments on the impact of today’s Budget on the Real Estate Industry:
“Numerous changes were unlikely, given that this was an Emergency Budget in an election year. The new Government’s confirmation that they will carry through the previously proposed changes to the REIT regime regarding stock dividends [...] -
Opus Serves Up A Summer Treat With Tempting Market Menu
Opus Restaurant is now offering its popular Market Menu to lunchtime diners with a complimentary glass of champagne throughout August, as the celebrations for the restaurant’s fifth birthday gather pace.
Priced at just £30 per person, the three course Market Menu features two choices per course together with a glass of Champagne. Available from Tuesday to [...] -
BRINDLEYPLACE ACQUISTION COMPLETED BY HINES GLOBAL REIT AND MOORFIELD
Hines Global REIT and Moorfield have completed the £190m acquisition of eight buildings at Brindleyplace in Birmingham from The Brindleyplace Limited Partnership. From the parties’ initial interest, the deal has been completed in just three months and is one of the largest property deals to be concluded in the UK this year.
The deal involves office [...] -
HINES GLOBAL REIT AND MOORFIELD INVEST IN BRINDLEYPLACE
(LONDON) – The UK office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that Hines Global REIT and Moorfield, the UK real estate private equity investor and fund manager, have concluded negotiations for the acquisition of properties at Brindleyplace, from The Brindleyplace Limited Partnership. The properties consist of five prime office buildings including ground-floor [...]
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DRIVERS JONAS DELOITTE TEAM WALK ON SUNSHINE FOR ST. BASILS
For the 6th year running, the Birmingham office of Drivers Jonas Deloitte has conquered the St Basils Walk 2010, raising £1,000 for the Midlands based charity.
This year, ten intrepid souls from the Brindleyplace based office decided to forgo the lure of a lazy Saturday to traipse 28 miles through prime Clarkson country. The 2010 route began [...] -
GVA Grimley cautiously welcomes investment-friendly Emergency Budget measures
Leading UK property consultant GVA Grimley reports that the most important Budget since 1997 will pave the way for sustained growth for the property market.
Ian Stringer, regional senior director of the Birmingham office of GVA Grimley comments: “This is a very severe Budget and the detail of the additional £40bn cuts across the public sector [...] -
GVA GRIMLEY ADVISES ON PURCHASE OF NEW 13 ACRE SITE FOR ATP INDUSTRIES GROUP
GVA Grimley’s Birmingham office has advised on the purchase of a 13-acre site (5.35 hectares) at Cannock Wood Industrial Estate for automotive re-manufacturer ATP Industries Group.
Following the sale of its existing Hednesford site at Cannock Chase to St. Modwen earlier this year, the manufacturer is relocating to the nearby site of the former Marshalls Plc [...] -
CRANE ACTIVITY SHOWS BIRMINGHAM HAS SOME RESILIENCE
Eight new developments under construction in Birmingham city centre this year show a rise from six new construction starts last year, reports Drivers Jonas Deloitte in this year’s annual Birmingham Crane Survey.
The research found that similar to 2008-9, development activity in the city remains diverse with only one of the new starts comprising an office [...] -
City Centre Lifestyle Tempts Young Professionals at Park Central
City living is continuing to win the vote of today’s young professionals, according to Crest Nicholson. The developer’s award-winning Park Central scheme in Birmingham is scoring highly with homebuyers who want to enjoy all the lifestyle benefits of owning a stylish apartment in a prime city centre location.
Bordered by Bath Row and Lee Bank Middleway, [...] -
Second phase of The Lincombes selling ahead of target
The second phase of The Lincombes luxury apartment scheme in Mere Green is already a third sold prior to a show home being available to view, reports developer Walton Homes.
The Lincombes comprises three distinct phases, each designed to reflect the traditional mansion style architecture found in the local Mere Green vicinity. The first phase is [...] -
GVA GRIMLEY TAKES ON TOUR DE LDC CYCLING CHALLENGE
Five members of GVA Grimley’s Birmingham office have jumped into the saddle to take on the Tour de LDC cycling challenge from Lands End of John O’ Groats to raise money for children’s charity Friendship Works this month.
The tour, which began at Lands End on Saturday 5th June, will take over two weeks to complete [...] -
Soaring purchaser demand at Hemlingford Mill
With so much interest, resulting in a flurry of sales, Walton Homes is proud to announce that it is now 50 per cent sold out at its landmark development in Kingsbury; Hemlingford Mill.
The recent sales have prompted a new release of apartments and two prize three-bedroom homes. Hemlingford Mill has a total of 26 homes, [...] -
SEVEN ASSOCIATE PROMOTIONS AT GVA GRIMLEY
GVA Grimley’s Birmingham office has strengthened its expert team of property professionals with seven associate promotions.
Barry Riley has been promoted to investment associate, Tesni Thacker to industrial associate, Mark Birks to land and development associate, Gareth Condy to valuation services associate, John Burroughs to head of client operations for property management accounting, Andrew Gray to [...] -
Demand for acquisition surveys fuels unprecedented growth for GVA Grimley’s Building Consultancy team
The Building Consultancy team at GVA Grimley’s Birmingham office has become one of the largest specialist teams of its kind in the region, following a significant increase in client instructions for project work and acquisition surveys.
Acquisition surveys are being carried out by the specialist team for individual commercial buildings and large property portfolios, with lot [...] -
FIFTH TENANT FOR ELEVEN BRINDLEYPLACE
Argent has completed a hat trick of new lettings in the last month at Eleven Brindleyplace with the announcement that specialist professional recruitment consultancy Robert Walters is to become the building’s latest tenant.
Following recent lettings to Friend LLP and the Institute of Directors, Robert Walters has signed a 10 year lease for 4,500 sq ft [...] -
BIRMINGHAM’S FIRST ORGANIC HAIR SALON TO OPEN IN CITY CENTRE
Birmingham city centre’s first organic hair salon, Puro Hair, will open its doors in June, heralding the arrival of a new concept in hair styling and colouring.
Situated on John Bright Street in Birmingham city centre, Puro Hair has been founded by entrepreneur Sarah Simpson-Davies, who is also an experienced hair stylist and colourist. The independent [...] -
Walton Homes launches Carisbrooke House apartment scheme in Tamworth
Walton Homes has launched its first new development of 2010. Carisbrooke House – the second and final phase of Greenway Park in Tamworth – has been released to the market this week.
Carisbrooke House comprises 20 luxury apartments, with the vast majority being two bedroom designs. Located off Peelers Way in Two Gates, close to the [...] -
NUVO LAUNCH PARTY
Over 300 members of the Birmingham business community attended the launch party for Nuvo, Brindleyplace’s latest bar.
Guests enjoyed a pre-opening preview of the service and style offered by the elegant lounge bar which is situated in the ground floor curve of Eleven Brindleyplace.
Combining unparalleled sophistication with impeccable service, Nuvo offers an exclusive environment in which [...] -
Opus Restaurant to Showcase Superior Rare Breed Meat
Opus Restaurant has teamed up with Huntsham Court Farm, suppliers of superior rare breed meat, to host an exclusive dinner in the heart of Birmingham. Showcasing an innovative menu featuring Longhorn Beef, Middle White Pork and Ryland Lamb, the latest instalment in the Opus Dinner Series will take place on Tuesday 25 May from 7pm.
Situated [...] -
INVESTOR SUSTAINABILITY SENTIMENT SOARS DESPITE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
According to the latest market survey by leading property consultant GVA Grimley, the past 18 months has seen a significant increase in investors ensuring their property portfolios are greener.
Investors also maintain that as the sustainability agenda and its regulations mature, sustainable property will in turn generate greater value.
The ‘From Green to Gold 2010 – Key [...] -
DRAGONBOAT LAUNCH MAKES A SPLASH!
The Brindleyplace Dragonboat Festival 2010 has been launched with a splash at the national SEALIFE centre in Brindleyplace.
Over 60 guests attended the evening launch event including representatives from Aston Villa Football Club, Virgin Media, Goodyear Dunlop, GVA Grimley and Argent. The afterhours event to launch the canal based charity race included aptly themed refreshments from [...] -
Opus restaurant’s call to arms: Support the Staffordshire Hoard campaign
Despite the news that the £3.3m needed to save the Staffordshire Hoard for the Midlands has now been raised, Birmingham’s Opus restaurant is urging diners to pledge towards the £1.7m required for the final phase of the campaign.
Situated at the heart of the Colmore Business District, Opus has long been established as a key player [...] -
Fishing for food facts at Opus restaurant
Attention all fish lovers! On Thursday 4th March, the spotlight will fall on creatures of the sea at a showcase dinner at Opus restaurant in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District.
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Trading on success as ORS appoints new sales manager
ORS UK has reported robust growth in its office clearance and move management divisions, leading to both a doubling in size of its vehicle fleet and a new appointment to its sales team.
With 20 years’ experience in the office furniture sector, Herbie Johnson joins as sales manager and will be responsible for sales across both [...] -
Advice on hand for First Time Buyers at Park Central
First time buyers looking for free independent advice on getting onto the property ladder in 2010 are being urged to visit Park Central in Birmingham city centre on Wednesday 3 February, where developer Crest Nicholson is hosting an open evening from 5pm to 7pm.
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Crest Nicholson Builds on Successful 2009 at Park Central
Crest Nicholson has announced that 2009 has been a very successful year at its Park Central development, and despite the challenges of the regional property marketplace, the last 12 months have been marked by an increase in sales to owner occupiers and strong interest from buyers wanting to live at the award winning scheme in Birmingham city centre.
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Spotlight on heritage potatoes at Opus restaurant
With a reported rise in potato demand during the cold snap, Opus restaurant is embracing the rising popularity of the vegetable by holding a special heritage potato dinner at 7pm, on Thursday 4th February.
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HomeBuy Direct Scores with First Time Buyers at Park Central
The government-backed assistance scheme HomeBuy Direct is proving to be a big hit for professionals who are looking to stop renting and to start enjoying all the benefits of homeownership, according to Crest Nicholson – the force behind the award winning Park Central development in Birmingham city centre.
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Boost for Birmingham’s City Centre Apartment Buyers at Park Central
Crest Nicholson, the force behind the award winning city centre development, Park Central, has boosted its package of incentives in a bid to help today’s homebuyers get on or move up the property ladder.
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Drivers Jonas to merge with Deloitte to create a new business in the real estate advisory market
Drivers Jonas LLP, the oldest firm of real estate advisors in the world, is to merge with Deloitte, the business advisory firm. The merger will create one of the largest real estate businesses in Europe, with a “Drivers Jonas Deloitte” group of around 700 partners and staff. In what will be a new model in the real estate advisory market, the merger will revolutionise how property services are provided.
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Part-exchange extravaganza weekend at Honeybourne Grange in Alrewas
For one weekend only, Walton Homes is offering homeowners the opportunity to part-exchange their existing home and move to the exclusive Honeybourne Grange development in Alrewas.
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Drivers Jonas reaches milestone on £360m development
The Birmingham office of Drivers Jonas has reached a major milestone in its work on the £360m SouthGate development in Bath.
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Core PR Team Secures New Client Wins
Brindleyplace-based creative, marketing and PR agency Core has announced a series of new business wins, all within the space of the last three months.
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Walton Homes makes buying a luxury apartment at Hemlingford Mill 25 per cent easier
Walton Homes’ Hemlingford Mill development
Walton Homes is making it even easier for first time buyers and those looking to climb up the property ladder to live at Hemlingford Mill, by introducing its hugely successful Lion’s Share initiative.
Hemlingford Mill comprises the conversion of an 11th Century former flour mill, together with a sympathetically designed new build [...] -
Tower cranes removal marks next milestone at The Cube
Birmingham Development Company’s (BDC) mixed-use development The Cube in Birmingham has reached a significant visible milestone with the removal of the mast climbers and the two100m tall tower cranes from the city centre site.
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Stapenhill locals move to Willowmead to bring down the cost of household bills
Walton Homes, the developer behind Willowmead in the Staffordshire village of Stapenhill, has witnessed a trend of local people moving to the development simply to take advantage of low maintenance living and reduced household bills.
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Drivers Jonas responds to market demand with new appointment
The Birmingham office of property consultants Drivers Jonas has responded to increased demand for project management services with the appointment of senior project manager, Robert Langley.
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Aedas creates regional headquarters at Colmore Plaza
Global Private Equity Firm, The Carlyle Group, announces that it has agreed the third letting in four months at its award winning office building Colmore Plaza in Birmingham, with the signing of a deal with international architects Aedas, who have taken 5,000 sq ft of Grade A office space on the ground floor of the landmark scheme.
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2009 fares better than predicted for Walton Homes
As mortgage lending across the UK shows impressive month on month growth and house prices rise for the sixth consecutive month, Midlands housebuilder Walton Homes has announced that it has exceeded sales targets for 2009.
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Crest Nicholson appeals to make Christmas Dreams come true at Park Central
Crest Nicholson, the force behind the Park Central development in Birmingham city centre, is helping to make dreams come true this Christmas with the launch of a fundraising campaign in aid of Birmingham-based children’s charity, Dream Makers.
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Green on the Inside
Developers and tenants are increasingly demanding BREEAM ‘Excellent’ office buildings to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and sustainability of their businesses. With increasing pressure on corporate businesses and, in particular Government occupiers, to improve their green credentials, Karl Ward, Managing Director of Office Recycling Solution UK (ORS UK), looks at how the sustainability of the building only scratches the surface of the green agenda and discusses the simple steps that businesses can take to save money and the planet.
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Corby purchasers vote with their feet and chose Walton’s Lion’s Share over Government HomeBuy initiative
Walton Homes has credited the high sales rate at Radbrook Rise in Corby to the popularity of its Lion’s Share initiative, which enables purchasers to pay for just 75 per cent of the value of the property.
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Core takes flight with digital expansion
Brindleyplace based full service communications agency Core has strengthened its digital portfolio with the launch of three websites over the last two months, all of which have been designed by Cores in house team.
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First tranche of residents at Hemlingford Mill cite spectacular views as their reason to invest
The first tranche of buyers at Walton Homes’ historic Hemlingford Mill development have now taken occupation of their apartments, citing the spectacular waterside views as their reason for moving to the newly converted development.
Hemlingford Mill comprises the conversion of an 11th Century former flour mill, together with a sympathetically designed new build element. The luxury [...] -
DBK appoints new head of affordable housing
Construction, property and development consultancy DBK has recruited David Sammons to head up its affordable housing consultancy team.
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Birmingham Restaurant’s ‘Rising Star’ Brings Prestigious Award to the Midlands
Brad Gent, restaurant manager at Opus Restaurant in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District, has joined the ranks of the industry’s most talented professionals after being presented with a Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) in Restaurant Management and Service – the only individual from an establishment outside London to pick up the highly prestigious award in 2009.
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Phase two released at The Lincombes in Mere Green
The much anticipated second phase of Walton Homes’ luxury apartment scheme in Mere Green has been released for sale. To mark the release of the nine one, two and three bedroom apartments in the purpose built Wellswood building at The Lincombes, Walton Homes has unveiled a new penthouse showhome.
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Colmore Plaza proves its sustainable credentials with new ‘excellent’ accreditation
Global private equity firm, The Carlyle Group, announces that its landmark asset Colmore Plaza has become the first office building in Birmingham to achieve the sought after BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Management and Operation accreditation, a scheme that measures a building’s sustainable credentials once in occupation.
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Plans for 200m Regal Tower submitted
An outline planning application for what could be the city centre’s tallest building, Regal Tower, has been submitted to Birmingham City Council by developers Regal Property Group.
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New Ownership at Office Recycling Solutions
Midlands based office furnishings recycling specialist, ORS UK, has announced the arrival of Karl Ward as new owner and managing director.
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Four bedroom view home unveiled at Honeybourne Grange
A stunning four bedroom view home has been unveiled at Walton Homes’ prized Honeybourne Grange scheme in Alrewas.
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Crest celebrates Park Central success with stylish new show apartment
Leading developer Crest Nicholson has announced it will be celebrating the end of a successful year at its Park Central scheme in Birmingham city centre with the launch of a new show apartment on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October.
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Park Central Perfect Match for Birmingham’s Students and Graduates
With the new academic year under way, around 50,000 students are settling back into university life in Birmingham. And when it comes to looking ahead to where they will live throughout the 2010/11 year, or even when they graduate, one developer is helping the region’s young people experience city living to the full.
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Four bedroom homes at Radbrook Rise now available from only £149,995
With only a handful of available homes at Radbrook Rise that will be completed in time for Christmas, Walton Homes is highlighting its star buy offer, enabling a four bedroom semi detached property to be purchased for only £149,995.
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Planning application submitted for 37 acre Friargate development in Coventry
Friargate Coventry LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) has submitted an outline planning application to Coventry City Council for the proposed redevelopment of a 37 acre (15 hectare) strategic site opposite the city’s train station. The development is expected to generate up to 15,000 permanent jobs and the construction programme is expected to take 10 to 15 years to complete.
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Walton Homes and Kingsbury Primary School bury a time capsule at Hemlingford Mill
School children from Kingsbury Primary School were selected to participate in a time capsule project undertaken at Walton Homes’ Hemlingford Mill development, next to Kingsbury Water Park.
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Energy company plugs into Orega serviced offices at Colmore Plaza
Fast growing serviced office provider Orega, has signed a deal to lease up to 20,000 sq ft at landmark building Colmore Plaza and has already lined up its first tenant MA Energy.
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Leading Signage and Graphic Companies Merge to form Hollywood Monster
Midlands based Hollywood Signs and sister company Monster Digital have merged to form the biggest signage and graphics company in the Midlands, Hollywood Monster.
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Apartments within historic Hemlingford Mill now ready for occupation
Walton Homes has announced that the historic mill element of its Hemlingford Mill development in the village of Kingsbury is now available for occupation. 25 per cent of the 26 apartments and townhouses across the spectacular waterside scheme have also been matched with buyers.
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Associated Architects makes bold move into The Mailbox
Birmingham based Associated Architects, the architect behind the award winning mixed-use development The Mailbox, has moved its team of 60 employees into 7,000 sq ft of ambitiously designed Grade A space at the scheme.
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BDC Appoints Design Team for Former Post & Mail Site
Following Birmingham Development Company’s (BDC) recent multi million pound acquisition of the 500,000 sq ft former Post & Mail printing works, Birmingham based Associated Architects has been appointed to turn the plans for the city centre’s next iconic building into a reality.
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Walton Homes reports a scarcity of new homes in South East Staffs
Honeybourne Grange is the only new homes development on the market in South East Staffordshire and with only 10 family homes still available for sale, developer Walton Homes predicts that demand will exceed supply.
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Drivers Jonas planner wins RTPI’S first Tomorrow’s Leader Award
Drivers Jonas employee Joanne Hooper has scooped the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) West Midlands’ inaugural Tomorrow’s Leader Award 2009.
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St. Modwen challenge raises nearly £12,000 for Donna Louise Children’s Hospice
St. Modwen’s North Staffordshire office challenged employees and business contacts to raise at least £10,000 in 2009 for the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice in Stoke on Trent by completing the Three Peaks Challenge. They have significantly exceeded the target with £11,842 raised to date.
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Planning granted for £35 million Hodge Hill Site
Regeneration partnership PxP West Midlands has received planning permission for the first phase of a £35 million development in Hodge Hill, with the potential to create up to 500 new jobs in the area.
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Drivers Jonas hosts Quest 2009
Members of the city’s property and professional communities faced the ultimate test of their local knowledge as property consultants Drivers Jonas (DJ) laid down the Birmingham DJ Quest challenge for the ninth year running.
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National New Homes Week highlights growing scarcity of new homes
Award-winning Midlands developer Walton Homes warns that New Homes Week, running from 12th – 20th September, needs to be seen as a strong reminder that there is a growing scarcity of new homes across the country, particularly within the Midlands.
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Landmark building handed over at Stoke-on-Trent’s premier business park
St Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, has successfully completed the construction of its largest new build commercial office building in Stoke on Trent, specifically designed for occupier, Vodafone UK.
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‘The First Timers’ Show Birmingham Buyers How It’s Done at Park Central
Crest Nicholson, the force behind the Park Central development in Birmingham city centre, has stepped up its drive to help first time buyers onto the property ladder with a new marketing campaign aimed at de-mystifying the homebuying process.
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City mall defies rise in retail vacancies
City centre mall Paradise Forum is bucking Birmingham’s rise in vacant retail units with the announcement of two new lettings in the popular thoroughfare.
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Colliers CRE settles into Eleven Brindleyplace
The team from Colliers CRE’s Birmingham office took a well deserved break from unpacking boxes yesterday to officially celebrate their move to new office building Eleven Brindleyplace.
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Brindleyplace bar name revealed
Brindleyplace’s latest bar and restaurant, set to open this Autumn on the award winning estate, will be named Nuvo.
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Park Central story defies number crunchers
The national obsession with property has reached fever pitch over recent years, with a growing appetite for the latest facts and figures on the housing market fed by endless surveys and statistics. However one apartment scheme in Birmingham is defying the number crunchers as it continues to buck the trend seen elsewhere in the city living marketplace.
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Colmore Plaza expands portfolio with Williams de Broë deal
Global Private Equity Firm, The Carlyle Group announces that it has let a further 5,200 sq ft of Grade A office space at its Colmore Plaza flagship office building in Birmingham to Williams de Broë Ltd, a leading UK-wide firm of investment managers.
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Select & Move scheme launched at The Lincombes in Mere Green
Walton Homes has launched a new incentive scheme at its luxury apartment development in Mere Green, which covers the largest costs of moving, being the estate agency fees.