The manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK, Railpen, has completed the first phase of the complete transformation of its 295,000sq ft (NIA) Multistory office in Birmingham.
Railpen has combined two existing buildings to create a significant new best-in-class office in the centre of the UK’s second city.
The first phase of Multistory comprises 27,000sq ft of retail and leisure space on the ground and lower floors, with CBRE and Creative Retail appointed as leasing agents. The ground floors of the two buildings have been merged to provide eight retail units, linked by a 15,000sq ft indoor-outdoor bar and café with 2,000sq ft terrace, an adjoining atrium and unique 100-seat auditorium that together will serve as Multistory’s social focal point. The central space is unique in Birmingham for its size and range of amenities provided and has been created by Railpen to establish a sense of community and connection between employees and their place of work.
Ranging in size from 450sq ft to 6,770sq ft, the retail and F&B space can accommodate a range of uses, including a gym, restaurant, bar, café and leisure, all complementing the atrium offer. Railpen is targeting a mix of local independents and national operators to create a compelling mix that will appeal to Multistory’s community, as well as the significant surrounding worker, commuter and residential population.
Other facilities delivered in Multistory’s phase one include co-working space, meeting rooms, library, secure parking for 286 bikes, shower and changing facilities and 70 car parking spaces, including ten EV charging points and six accessible spaces. Combined with the atrium and retail units, Multistory’s offer will encourage more time to be spent in the offices, helping occupiers attract and retain the staff.
