The latest phase a of a multi-million pound upgrade one of the region’s best known mixed use developments is underway.

Fort Dunlop in Birmingham has been undergoing a major facelift since it was acquired by a fund managed by Tristan Capital Partners in partnership with EDG Property in 2014.  It has already seen the creation of a new atrium reception area with the addition of amenity for the offices, such as the new food and beverage offer, including Costa, Subway, Scoff and Duet.

The mixed use scheme, which is home to a number of major businesses including Capita and Trinity Mirror Midlands, has also seen a major upgrade to its car-parking as well as the introduction of a 24-hour gym that has resulted in a major boost in evening and weekend footfall.

The latest phase of the development programme will see the car parking provision enhanced further with the addition of a new dedicated car park for the Travelodge Hotel (that has undergone a major refurbishment to compliment the investment at Fort Dunlop).   This is expected to be followed by a new multi-storey deck car park for the offices.

The final phase of the programme will see the creation of a rooftop enclosed glass conference space overlooking the M6 and with views across Birmingham and EDG Property Director Neil Edginton believes this final piece of the jigsaw will help unlock Fort Dunlop’s full potential.

He said: “Fort Dunlop has thrived since it was brought back to life two decades ago and has built a reputation as a high quality office destination as well as home to a unique retail offer that distinguished it from other mixed use developments in the region.

“However, developments like Fort Dunlop must continue to evolve to ensure they meet the ever changing needs and expectations of tenants as well as being able to attract new investment, so adding value was very much at the top of the agenda when the site was acquired.

“In the time we’ve been involved, we have seen a number of major lease renewals as well as a raft of new tenants and a significant increase in footfall, so the improvements are already having positive results, but we still believe that Fort Dunlop has yet more to offer.

“The new planned rooftop development will be an important new addition to Fort Dunlop’s offer and create a fantastic facility for existing or new businesses.

Planning permission for the latest phases of works was granted and it is hoped the works will be completed in early 2018.

A new architect has been commissioned to take forward a landmark Coventry scheme following a successful design competition.

Warwick-based Corstorphine+Wright – the architects behind EDG Property’s successful New Street Chambers residential scheme in the heart of Birmingham – have now been commissioned to transform Coventry’s famous old Co-op building in the heart of the city.

EDG Property acquired the vacant building – which was a much loved department store for more than half a century before it was closed by the Co-op – along with the neighbouring Hawkins Building.

Prior to the building being locally listed, an initial feasibility study looking at potential options for the building was carried out by Ken Shuttleworth’s MAKE Architects before EDG Property held a design competition to find an architect to take the project through to planning with a view to converting the buildings into an exciting residential apartment led mixed use development with retail, café bars and restaurants at street level.

EDG Property managing director Neil Edginton said the scheme would offer something new for the centre of Coventry and compliment a raft of development currently taking place in the Midlands city.

He said: “Coventry is undoubtedly a city on the up with the success of Coventry University particularly driving a huge amount of student-led development in the city centre but also initiatives such as the £300m City Centre South project and the proposed new leisure centre are going to really get the city buzzing in the coming years.

“We looked at a range of potential uses for this fantastic post war building and felt that with its city centre location, there was undoubtedly a gap in the market for a high quality apartment development with a ground floor leisure offer, to capture the footfall between the city’s thriving Belgrade Theatre and its main shopping area.

“We are delighted to be working again with Corstorphine + Wright on this project and looking forward to seeing our vision for the building becoming reality in due course.”

A detailed planning application is set to be submitted to Coventry City Council next month.

A £500,000 investment project is set to bring a market-leading 24-hour health and fitness club to Cannock town centre. Anytime Fitness will open at High Green Court before Easter, generating up to 10 new full and part-time jobs.

Heading up the project is franchisee Ash Sajid, who explained why Cannock was targeted as a key location for the leisure club. He said: “Although Anytime Fitness is a global brand, we like to think of each centre as a community club. Cannock is a nice town where people interact and take care of each other, with a strong community spirit, so it was pinpointed as a place that would suit our business model. High Green Court is the perfect location, right in the heart of the town.”

Work is expected to start on transforming the 5,580 sq ft. former Dunelm Mill building this month, with an anticipated launch of the fitness centre around Easter Time.

Ash added: “We are really looking forward to launching the club and will soon be announcing how the first local people to join up can benefit from discounted memberships. Anytime Fitness is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week , 365 days a year, giving its members the convenience to work out, whenever it suits their busy lifestyle

“As well as cutting-edge strength training and cardio equipment, the new club will offer personal trainers to advise on smart exercise programmes and inspire members to reach their desired fitness targets. Anytime Fitness is a refreshingly different fitness club.”

Neil Edginton, Managing Director of EDG Property at High Green Court, said: “Anytime Fitness will be a fantastic addition to the leisure environment of Cannock, bringing its refreshing approach to health and fitness as well as creating much-needed jobs for local people.

“With more than 106 clubs in UK and over 3000 clubs worldwide, we are delighted that the company has chosen High Green Court as its newest location and look forward to welcoming its staff and members.” And best of all, when you join one club, you join them all, because your access key will give you access to any club worldwide.  The addition of Anytime Fitness marks the start of our wider improvement plans for High Green Court.

High Green Court, on Newhall Street in the heart of Cannock town centre, offers a selection of high street names and specialist shops, restaurants and bars, with a secure car parking available from just £1 per hour.

To find out more about Anytime Fitness Cannock and information on memberships, please call 01543 62 42 60 or visit www.anytimefitness.co.uk

EDG Property has again shown its support for the region by partnering with two different stands at the upcoming MIPIM property show in Cannes.

The wider Midlands will have its largest ever presence at the annual event and EDG have signed up as partners with the Midlands Engine delegation as well as the Coventry & Warwickshire stand.

The Midlands Engine is made up of the 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships across the West and East Midlands and will promote the region’s development opportunities from a 200sqm pavilion – one of the largest at the event.

As well as the Midlands Engine delegation, the region’s sub regions will also be represented on separate stands and EDG Property is also supporting Coventry & Warwickshire which will be at MIPIM to highlight a number of key schemes and future investment opportunities.

EDG Property director Neil Edginton said MIPIM remained a key event in the property calendar and felt it was a great opportunity to not only back the region but also promote the EDG brand to an international audience.

He said: “In terms of bringing together developers, investors, agents and architects, there is no other property event in the world quite like MIPIM and it has been an event that I have either attended or supported throughout my career.

“While EDG Property has projects throughout the UK, the Midlands and particularly Birmingham and Coventry are key cities for us at the moment with a number of live projects so I was delighted to back both stands at this year’s event as a reflection of the fantastic job they will be doing to promote the region to such a key audience.

“While EDG currently operates in the UK, we are working with some major international funds on a number of schemes so MIPIM is also a great opportunity for EDG Property to continue to build its profile as we look to future projects.”