What Does the Birmingham Office Market Look Like Today?

The Birmingham office market is shifting, fast. Whether you're leasing for the first time or reassessing your space strategy, understanding current trends, lease types, and location advantages can help you make smarter decisions in today's competitive environment.

Birmingham offers a highly flexible office market, with a range of spaces to suit nearly any business type or size. From compact 72 sq ft private offices to headquarters spanning 250,000+ sq ft, the city’s commercial property inventory caters to startups, growing firms, and enterprise-level tenants.

Which Birmingham Districts Offer Office Space?

City centre locations, including the Colmore Business District, Brindleyplace, and Snowhill, offer prestige, proximity to transport hubs, and modern amenity-rich buildings. These are the most in-demand zones for businesses needing visibility, top-tier facilities, or client-facing spaces.

Just outside the core, areas like Edgbaston, Jewellery Quarter, and Digbeth offer character buildings, lower costs per sq ft, and attractive surroundings. Business parks such as Birmingham Business Park and West Longbridge provide more space, parking, and quiet environments, especially useful for R&D or out-of-town teams.

How Has Birmingham's Office Stock Evolved?

A growing number of properties are being upgraded to Grade A standards, with amenities that match changing workplace expectations. Features like high-speed connectivity, wellness facilities, natural light, and sustainability certifications are now standard in many developments.

For example, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham's tallest office tower, offers panoramic views, WELL Gold accreditation, and touchless access control, setting a new benchmark for future-ready workspace in the city.

Paradise and Arena Central have been major catalysts for this shift. Together, they've introduced hundreds of thousands of sq ft of premium space, elevating Birmingham’s profile as a serious competitor to London and Manchester for corporate HQs.

What Size Office Units Are Available?

The table below outlines typical size ranges and who they're best suited for — from compact spaces for freelancers to expansive floorplates for large-scale operations.

Office Size Category	Square Footage Range	Best For
Small Units	72–500 sq ft	Solo professionals, remote workers, 2–3 person teams
Mid-Size Suites	1,000–10,000 sq ft	Growing SMEs, established firms needing multiple rooms or departments
Large Floorplates	10,000–250,000+ sq ft	Enterprise HQs, regional hubs, high-density teams and hybrid layouts

 

Whether you're a new startup needing a few desks or a multinational relocating an entire team, there's a space size to match, and many buildings offer flexible floorplates that grow with your business.

Where Are the Investment Hotspots?

• Colmore Row commands high rents but offers maximum centrality and corporate polish.

• Jewellery Quarter delivers strong value, combining historic appeal with refurbished interiors.

• Edgbaston is emerging as a premium zone with character offices and fewer competitors.

• Eastside, near the future HS2 Curzon Street station, is a clear bet for future value appreciation.

Across the board, proximity to transit, especially New Street and Snow Hill stations, adds 15–30% to rental value, making connectivity a key factor in long-term investment performance.

How Flexible Are Birmingham’s Office and Serviced Workspace Options?

Birmingham’s flexible office market has evolved fast. What started as basic coworking has become a mature ecosystem with all-inclusive spaces, high-spec amenities, and sector-specific hubs, ideal for businesses that value simplicity, agility, and cost predictability.

What Types of Serviced Offices Are Available?

Serviced offices in Birmingham typically include:

• Fully furnished spaces

• High-speed internet

• Meeting rooms

• Utility bills and maintenance

• Reception and mail services

You’ll find options ranging from hot desks to private offices for teams of 2–100+, with flexible terms, from day passes to monthly rolling contracts.

Popular serviced office providers include:

• WeWork (55 Colmore Row) – Enterprise-ready spaces for up to 113 desks

• Landmark Snow Hill & Brindleyplace – High-spec options with wellness features

• Spaces Birmingham (Lewis Building, Crossway) – Creative environments with built-in community

How Does Serviced Pricing Compare to Traditional Leases?

• Serviced offices in Birmingham typically range from £231 to £341 per desk per month. This rate includes furniture, utilities, internet, and shared amenities.
• Traditional leases cost around £18 to £35 per square foot per year, but do not include fit-out, furnishings, or operational expenses.

For small and mid-sized teams, typically under 20 people, serviced options can lower total occupancy costs by 15 to 22 percent. They also simplify budgeting by removing hidden charges like dilapidation fees or multi-year commitments.

Where Can You Find Flexible Workspace Hubs?

• Tech and digital firms benefit from Innovation Birmingham and Enterprise Wharf , purpose-built environments near Aston and the Knowledge Quarter

• Creative teams thrive at The Custard Factory and Alpha Works, where collaboration and community are part of the offer

• Startups and SMEs find value in plug-and-play offices at Regus, Runway East, and Spacemade 10X, which blend convenience with affordability

If you're planning for growth, “pay-as-you-grow” models let you increase desk count without changing location, perfect for fast-scaling firms.

 

Is It Easy to Switch Between Spaces?

Yes. Most serviced providers offer:

• Short-term contracts (monthly or quarterly)

• On-demand access (1–3 days per week), up to 75% cheaper than full-time space

• Move-in-ready options, so there’s no downtime between signing and starting

This makes Birmingham ideal for hybrid teams, remote-first businesses, and companies in flux. You get premium space without the risk or red tape of a traditional lease.

What Features and Amenities Can You Expect from Birmingham Office Spaces?

Modern office space in Birmingham goes far beyond desks and WiFi. Amenities now shape how businesses choose space, with wellbeing, tech, and functionality playing a central role in decision-making.

What’s Included in Most Offices?

Across both traditional and serviced spaces, standard features now include:

• High-speed internet and CAT6 cabling

• Meeting rooms and breakout areas

• 24/7 access and security

• On-site management or concierge services

Serviced offices often add:

• Reception staff and mail handling

• Kitchenettes with coffee and tea

• Fully furnished interiors

• Utilities and cleaning bundled in

These all-in-one packages simplify budgeting and support fast move-ins, especially useful for small teams or satellite branches.

The table below compares amenities typically found in traditional leases, serviced offices, and premium workspaces.

Amenity	Traditional Lease	Serviced Office	Premium Workspace
High-speed internet	Sometimes	Included	Included (often fibre or CAT6)
Furniture and fit-out	Tenant-funded	Included	Customised or design-led
Utilities and cleaning	Tenant-managed	Included	Bundled with service charges
Reception & mail handling	Rarely	Included	Staffed concierge desks
Wellness amenities (gyms, terraces)	Uncommon	Occasionally	Frequently included
Meeting rooms & breakout space	Tenant-built	Included	High-spec and tech-enabled
Smart building tech	Rare	Sometimes	Often integrated (e.g. occupancy sensors)

 

Which Amenities Make a Difference?

Premium offices now integrate:

• Wellness features: Gyms, outdoor terraces, bike storage, and even bouldering walls (like at 10 Brindleyplace or Spacemade 10X)

• Sustainability design: Green roofs, LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC, and BREEAM certifications

• Smart tech: Access control systems, occupancy sensors, and integrated building management software

Spaces like Enterprise Wharf lead the way in smart integration, offering a fully SMART-enabled environment tailored to tech-driven teams.

Are There Buildings With Unique Perks?

Yes. Birmingham has embraced lifestyle-focused work environments:

• Alpha Works offers panoramic city views and award-winning design

• Boutique Workplace includes in-house baristas between New Street and Snow Hill

• Mercure West Hotel provides office space with access to its gym, sauna, steam room, and pool

These aren't gimmicks, they drive productivity, improve retention, and create competitive advantages for employers.

What’s the ROI on Amenities?

• Offices with health and wellness features can boost staff satisfaction and reduce absenteeism

• Smart systems lower operating costs by up to 25% while supporting hybrid work

• Buildings with standout amenities often command 8–15% higher rents, while maintaining stronger occupancy rates

Bottom line, investing in better amenities pays off, for landlords and tenants alike.

How Does Location and Connectivity Impact Office Space in Birmingham?

Where your office is matters, not just for convenience, but for cost, visibility, and team satisfaction. In Birmingham, the right location can add strategic value, reduce commute times, and boost access to talent and clients.

Which Areas Are Best Connected?

The top zones for transport access are:

• Colmore Business District – Steps from Snow Hill and New Street stations

• Brindleyplace – Close to tram links and walkable from Five Ways and Broad Street

• Eastside/Curzon Street – Future home of HS2, creating high-speed links to London in under 50 minutes

Properties near major transport hubs command up to 30% higher rents, due to ease of access for both staff and clients.

What About Road and Air Connectivity?

• M5, M6, and M42 provide fast motorway access, key for logistics or field-based teams

• Birmingham Airport connects to over 150 global destinations, ideal for companies with international clients or satellite offices

Locations like Orega Ingenuity House and Third Place at Birmingham Airport give businesses direct access to air travel, a rare perk in regional UK markets.

Are There Good Alternatives Outside the Centre?

Yes, if you’re willing to trade centrality for space or cost:

• Edgbaston offers character offices and leafy surroundings, with direct bus and tram access

• Birmingham Business Park (Solihull) delivers parking, space, and lakeside views near M42 and the airport

• Hagley Road and Quinton offer budget-friendly options within 15 minutes of the city centre

Many peripheral offices come with free parking, a high-value perk in a city where central spaces often charge premium rates.

How Do You Choose the Right Location?

Prioritise based on your team’s needs:

• Client-facing or recruiting? Go central, Colmore Row or New Street

• Need parking or space? Try Edgbaston or Birmingham Business Park

• Growing fast or scaling remotely? Stay flexible with hybrid-ready spaces near strong transit hubs

Connectivity isn’t just about trains, it's about reducing friction across your entire business.