The 79,000 sq. ft Grade A office, previously known as 134 Edmund Street, was acquired by Grosvenor in 2021 and has been upgraded as part of a £35m capital investment programme to transform the organisation’s 500,000 sq. ft regional office portfolio. 

Located in the heart of Birmingham’s CBD, the Billiards Building is now fully electric powered, following the replacement of the buildings’ gas-powered system.  

This intervention, alongside a brand-new M&E system and wider energy efficiency improvements has significantly improved its operational energy usage, improving its EPC rating from E to an A rating.  

The equivalent energy use intensity of at least a 4.5* NABERS rating, this represents a 67% reduction in energy usage and will reduce the building’s carbon emissions by 52% a year, the equivalent annual carbon emissions of 93 petrol cars.   

Alongside the energy efficiency improvements, the building now features grade A office space, including a fitted suite, a new reception and business lounge, café, gym and yoga studio, communal roof terrace, and enhanced end of journey facilities.   

The extensive refurbishment of the Billiards Building has been undertaken working in close partnership with the existing occupiers with over half the building occupied throughout the works. Softcat, the FTSE 250 IT company has already completed a lease for 9,000 sq. ft of space with a further three floors under offer leaving only 13,000 sq. ft still to lease.  

As part of efforts to support skills and the local economy, Grosvenor worked solely with local Birmingham SMEs, sponsoring one of its partners to support a project management apprentice.  

Grosvenor’s regional office portfolio comprises seven offices in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds. In July, the organisation announced it was investing £35m to provide best in class occupier experience.  

As part of the organisation’s strategy to convert 20% of its UK office portfolio to flexible and fitted workspaces, thirteen new fitted suites have also opened in Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol in the last 12 months meeting an increasing demand in these markets.   

Fergus Evans, Office Portfolio Director, Grosvenor said: 

“Being able to confirm Billiards Building as Birmingham’s first retrofit to secure net zero status shows how existing buildings can be successfully refurbished to create Grade A office space. With only small proportion of space remaining, we are seeing strong demand for buildings which offer outstanding amenities and industry leading environmental performance in fantastic locations. We’re grateful for the support offered by our existing occupiers throughout the refurbishment and look forward to the building being fully let.” 

CBRE and JLL have been instructed as joint agents to market the office space. 

More information, including leasing information can be found on the Billiards Building website.