Refurbishing disused retail and commercial space
Our Birmingham hub was refurbished from disused retail space to create modern, digitally-connected and inclusive workspaces to support 1,700 civil servants from 20 government bodies.
The government hub in Birmingham’s city centre – at 23 Stephenson Street – is part of the Government Hubs Programme which exists to create a portfolio of regional office buildings for multi-departmental use. The programme is rationalising the government office estate across the UK to realise greater efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions. You can read more about the Government Hubs Programme here.
Our Birmingham hub was refurbished from disused retail space to create modern, digitally connected and inclusive workspaces to support 1,700 civil servants from 20 government bodies. It welcomed its first occupants through a phased induction from July 2021 and was officially opened in July 2022 (which you can read more about by clicking this link).
The hub is saving more than £2 million per year through estate rationalisation.
It sits on the site of the old Theatre Royal which was demolished in the 1950s. A then new mixed-use retail and commercial building was developed with Woolworths taking home across the ground floor.
We identified the opportunity to refurbish the (what was vacant) 1950s building to create a new government hub that would provide smarter working facilities to civil servants. We also identified the building as our new headquarters.
£2 million+
cost savings per annum
1,700
civil servants
20
government departments
1950s modernisation
Refurbishing the existing 1950s building came with unique challenges. Contemporary methods and standards were to be applied to a structure that wasn’t designed for modern-day use. This included design solutions around accessibility, BREEAM sustainability, and innovative approaches to working within a constrained building.
Safety and security enhancements also required innovative solutions. Elements of the building structure were enhanced and repaired, which improved the overall fire safety of the building and improved occupant evacuation times.
The Covid-19 pandemic added a unique set of challenges with social distancing requirements. However leveraging its networks across government, the GPA implemented strict ways of working to ensure safety across the site. And, in collaboration with its delivery partners, it kept the project on track and ensured more than 100 people remained employed.
Enabling estate rationalisation
23 Stephenson Street was officially opened in July 2022 by Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg. Eight silo, inefficient government office buildings were closed as civil servants relocated to the new hub. This is saving an estimated £2 million per year in operating costs, returning money to the public purse.
More than 1,700 civil servants from across 20 government departments now work from the hub, designed to the Government Workplace Design Guide standards. Modern, digitally connected, flexible and inclusive workspaces are nurturing greater productivity, creating cost efficiencies and enhancing carbon reduction.
Rated best UK public sector workplace experience
In March 2023, we achieved Leesman+ accreditation for our Birmingham hub (click this link to find out more about this accreditation). The score placed the hub in the top spot for employee workplace experience in the UK’s public sector.
Leesman+ is a globally recognised certification that is awarded to top-tier workplaces following rigorous surveying, analysis and testing. Leesman+ certified buildings create an elevated benchmark, and provide valuable insights into the quality of features, services and infrastructure that matter the most to the people who use the building.
At the time, only 202 buildings had successfully achieved the certification, placing our Birmingham building on Stephenson Street in the top 2% of global workplaces.
Inclusive Environments Recognition
In 2023 we achieved ‘Inclusive Environments Recognition Certification’ (click here to read more about this certification) at the project level from the Construction Industry Council (CIC) for our government hub in Birmingham.
The Stephenson Street hub has been recognised for its accessible and inclusive environments, providing supportive workspaces and facilities to meet the needs of the diverse workforce. The CIC achievement confirms the workplace design goes beyond minimum legislative standards to create truly inclusive and accessible spaces where everyone feels welcome and accepted.