Arup finds new Midlands home at self-designed office

Built environment consultancy Arup is to move its third-largest global office to Paradise Birmingham, in a move that will bring 1,000 jobs to the city. It will move from its existing campus in nearby Solihull to One Centenary Way, the latest building under construction at the development, which Arup designed itself. Arup’s new campus will be set across 68,000 sq ft over three floors of the 13-storey building, which is due to complete in 2023. The Paradise redevelopment is being brought forward through Paradise Circus Limited Partnership (PCLP), a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council.  The private sector funding is being managed by the international business of Federated Hermes, which has partnered with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) on the first phase of the development. MEPC is the development manager. Arup said the move would be a catalyst for growth and accelerate the process of making the business more environmentally friendly, with employees using more public transport and more sustainable working practices. Mark Jones, Birmingham office leader at Arup, said: “Our investment in this move to Paradise Birmingham in 2023 represents a major commitment to the region. It supports our global aim to build flexible workspace, and is a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving net zero emissions across our global operations by 2030. “We are incredibly proud of this new location and the role it will play in bringing 1,000 jobs to the city centre. Our new office has been designed by us and for us, and will feature advanced technologies enabling us to operate in a highly efficient way. “Being much closer to our clients and collaborators is vital, and we hope to create new ways of working with others by using intelligent office space and sharing our workplace setting in an open, welcoming and inspiring way.” Chris Taylor, chief executive of real estate at the international business of Federated Hermes, said: “This is yet another example of the kind of world-class occupier we can draw into the heart of Birmingham when we create the right environment.  “As a major international business, Arup is showing confidence not just in Birmingham, but in the UK as a whole by investing here in Paradise in a location where it can change its working practices and continue to innovate, flourish and grow.” At almost 2m sq ft, the Paradise development will deliver up to ten new flagship buildings, offering offices, shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, a hotel, and plans for a 49 storey residential tower across 17 acres in central Birmingham. To send feedback, e-mail alex.daniel@eg.co.uk or tweet @alexmdaniel or @EGPropertyNews Image courtesy of PR