JLL joins Paradise Birmingham neighbourhood

JLL has chosen One Centenary Way for its new Birmingham office as it joins the Paradise Birmingham neighbourhood.

By taking 13,815 sq ft of space on a 10-year lease, JLL will enjoy just over half a floor of the city’s latest commercial space in a ground breaking and highly sustainable, all electric, low carbon building.

The fourth-floor space will also give JLL, its staff, clients and collaborators unrivalled connectivity across the city with cycle and pedestrian routes, bus, metro and rail services all on the doorstep.

The sustainability credentials of the building have been an important part of the decision making process for JLL, aligning with Net Zero Carbon and Wellbeing requirements.

JLL aim to deliver a best in class energy efficient office fit out, which minimises embodied carbon through a circular economy design strategy, as well as aiming for SKA Gold, BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold standards as a minimum.

Offering open floorplates of up to 23,500 sq ft, One Centenary Way provides a bright, spacious and flexible working environment, with the highest specification for today’s business needs.

The building features low embodied carbon, an all-electric power and heating system plus a dedicated cycle hub in the basement with changing and maintenance facilities – a first for the city.

JLL will be joining Arup, the employee-owned built environment consultancy, along with global bank Goldman Sachs at One Centenary Way, one of Birmingham’s most successful new commercial addresses and an integral part of Phase Two of Paradise. This phase of the £1.2 billion development will include new public realm, a new hotel and a further new commercial building, Three Chamberlain Square.

JLL has appointed Tétris UK to lead on the sustainable design of the office space.

Stuart Smith, head of Midlands region at JLL, said: ‘I am delighted to be able to confirm that we are moving our Birmingham office to Paradise. The Midlands is a key part of our UK and international network, and so moving to Paradise is a milestone step in our broader commitment to sustainability, offering an energy efficient space that the team can be proud of, and will no doubt be a draw for new colleagues. Our aim is to create the best working environment in the city.

‘Having already worked closely with Tétris on the design of our Water Street and Landmark offices, we’re confident that their priorities align with ours in terms of creating an inclusive, sustainable working environment. Not only is One Centenary Way supported by superb amenities like the basement cycle hub, but it also places us at the heart of Birmingham’s business ecosystem, making us accessible for clients.’ 

Rob Groves, regional development director with Paradise development and asset manager, MEPC, said: ‘JLL is another welcome new addition to the Paradise estate and we look forward to seeing them move their 150-strong Birmingham team to One Centenary Way later in the year.

‘JLL’s specification around the ESG agenda was particularly important and made One Centenary Way and Paradise such a good fit as one of the most sustainable business addresses in Birmingham. We’ve worked hard to make One Centenary Way a low carbon, future ready location for occupiers, as well as one of the most distinctive looking buildings in the city thanks to its striking steel exoskeleton design.

‘Both the development team at MEPC and the design teams at Glenn Howells Architects and Arup have all worked together to bring forward an exemplary building for the city that will create jobs by attracting new commercial occupiers.’

Paradise has seen a number of landmark moments over the past year, including a string of new lettings with both office and leisure occupier announcements.

Birmingham City Council awarded permission last year for Three Chamberlain Square, a highly sustainable new commercial building on Paradise Street, as well as a major new hotel on the corner of Paradise Street, plus new public realm that will complete Phase Two.

Works are also well underway on the world-first Octagon apartment tower at the northern apex of the site.

As an important contributor to regional growth, Paradise is committed to creating high quality, new pedestrian streets and squares for everyone to enjoy, as well as improving pedestrian and public transport links across the city.

Early work on the access and transport links around Paradise were supported by Greater Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).

Paradise has already completed phase one of the development with One Chamberlain Square wholly occupied by PwC and Two Chamberlain Square providing some of the best views in Birmingham, with stunning vistas across Chamberlain Square itself and of the city’s impressive Classical and Victorian civic architecture. Vinoteca, Dishoom, Rosa’s Thai Café and Albert’s Schloss will be joined by the latest leisure operators, Yorks Café and F1® Arcade later this year.