The foodie renaissance continues with plans for two new restaurants unveiled.
Some 15,000 sq ft of restaurant space is being developed on the lower ground floor of , as part of a comprehensive 拢30 million redevelopment.
Agents say there has been strong interest and owner IM Properties wants to bring in 鈥渁spirational鈥 restaurant brands.
It follows a series of new bars and restaurants announced in the Colmore business district over the past year.
They include:
The new restaurants are part of the redevelopment of the former offices, which will also provide 160,000 sq ft of office space.
New images show the space is set to be sub-divided into up to three units, with entrances on Colmore Row, Church Street and Barwick Street, where the rear elevation will be replaced with a full-height glazed fa莽ade.
Specialist retail and leisure agency BWD has been appointed by developer IM Properties to find suitable operators to take the space.
Nick De-Pons, from BWD, said: 鈥淭here has been very strong interest in these units and we have already undertaken off-market discussions with a number of aspirational restaurant operators for both large and standard footprints.
鈥淭he combination of existing operators such as Utopia and Hotel du Vin, the recent lettings at the Grand Hotel to Gusto and the Alchemist, and future hotel and basement bar opportunity on Church Street, is contributing to the ongoing development of this area into a quality leisure hub within the city centre.鈥
Alongside the development of the new restaurant units and replacement of the rear elevation, IM Properties鈥 extensive programme of works includes the creation of three new floors to the top of the building.
Work is expected to complete in autumn 2016.
John Hammond, investment director at IM Properties, said: 鈥淥ur ambition for 55 Colmore Row is to create a unique proposition within the office market, combining a high quality, first class office environment with the delivery of complementary restaurants.
鈥淭he immediate area is already home to a number of Birmingham鈥檚 most popular bars and restaurants and we are keen to develop an offer that is entirely complementary, enhancing the Colmore Business District and growing its reputation as both a high quality business and leisure location.鈥
Pictures: Old Birmingham banks now home to bars and caf茅s
Elsewhere, Hortons鈥 Estate is investing 拢1 million to upgrade Fifteen Colmore Row.
Plans include cleaning the exterior in keeping with the adjacent Grand, where the wraps are coming off the listed building following Hortons鈥 four-year project to restore the fa莽ade overlooking St Philip鈥檚 cathedral.
In addition to the exterior facelift, the common areas are being upgraded and a 7,227 sq ft office suite on the second floor will be refurbished to include new toilet and shower facilities and a new heating and cooling system.
Richard Norgrove, property director at Hortons鈥 Estate, said: 鈥淥ur investment in both Fifteen Colmore Row and The Grand will considerably enhance the street scene along Colmore Row, Birmingham鈥檚 premier business address.鈥
