Willmott Dixon has won an £18 million contract to develop new offices in Birmingham.

The contractor will refurbish the iconic Lewis Building on Bull Street to create 114,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.

The company was appointed to carry out the project by Legal & General Property (LGP) and the building is due to be completed by July 2017.

Features include stripping back the interior of the building to shell and core, remodeling the building to provide floorplates of 17,000 sq ft, along with a new 12,000 sq ft, fully glazed seventh story with roof terraces.


On the ground floor, full height glazing will be installed along with informal/collaborative meeting spaces, a library, a coffee area, a lounge and bespoke exhibition space.

In addition, 74 car parking spaces will be built as well as cycle parking for 60 bikes and shower, changing and drying facilities. The development is being project managed by Ediston Real Estate, EPR are the architects and CBRE and Bilfinger GVA are the appointed leasing agents.

Willmott Dixon's managing director in the Midlands, Peter Owen, said: "We are hugely proud of our role in creating Birmingham's exciting new future with these projects, and are excited to be creating superb Grade A offices in the heart of the city's business district.

"LGP is taking an innovative approach to the Lewis Building, offering a product that is providing space that responds to the needs of modern occupiers while respecting and enhancing the historic aspects of the building's exterior. This is an ambitious project but will create a significant addition to Birmingham's office market and will represent a fitting legacy to this historically important building."

(LM/CD)