Edgbaston Office Scoops Prestigious Industry Award

October 2007

19 George Road, Calthorpe Estates’ £2.2 million contemporary office building in Edgbaston, has won a top industry award from the UK’s leading office industry organisation, the British Council for Offices (BCO).

The 12,545 sq ft scheme, tailored for Chartered Tax Advisers Shaws, won the ‘Small Projects’ category for the Midlands and East Anglia region at the annual BCO awards ceremony held on 2 October in London.

Over 1,500 property professionals gathered to celebrate design, best practice and innovation from offices across the country. Judges selected the development for its modern design and achievement of the ‘Excellent’ Environmental Assessment rating (BREEAM*).

David Povall, Commercial Director at Calthorpe Estates said the team were delighted with the award: “We are very proud of this achievement. Nadia Kelly, our Development Manager, was the driving force behind 19 George Road which was recognised for its striking design and ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and we believe it has now set the benchmark for commercial schemes in Birmingham.

“It is a great example of our commitment to sustainability which has been at the heart of Calthorpe Estates for nearly three centuries.”

The regional judges were unanimous in their decision in making the award and commented: “This relatively small, stand-alone office building near the city centre fits well within its surroundings despite the variation in style from its neighbours. The scheme provides an exceptional public profile from the street and has created a strongly structured, finely stylised end product.”

The national panel stated that they were “impressed by the boldness of a major local landowner creating modern offices when it could have easily made do with repeating the traditional vernacular.”

The judges concluded that 19 George Road set a tone for the shape of future regeneration projects. The scheme was also commended for the speed at which the plans were approved and the quality of construction, demonstrating a refreshing relationship of trust and understanding with local planners.

The British Council for Offices Awards, now in their sixteenth year, are presented to projects in six categories: Corporate Workplace, Commercial Workplace, Refurbished/Recycled Workplace, Fit-out of Workplace, Small Projects and Innovation.

For more information on the scheme go to www.calthorpe.co.uk/19georgeroad

* BREEAM – Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method
ENDS

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