As Birmingham continues to establish itself as a key player in the UK’s professional services and innovation economy, demand for high-quality workspace is surging. But with new-build supply limited and sustainability targets tightening, the spotlight is firmly on office refurbishment in Birmingham as the smarter, faster, and more sustainable way forward.
According to the latest insights from Savills, refurbished offices across UK regional cities are increasingly rivalling new-build space in quality — and in some cases, achieving comparable rents. In Birmingham specifically, 74% of total office take-up in 2024 was classified as prime or Grade A space, underlining the growing occupier preference for high-spec environments. This aligns with what we’re seeing on the ground at Estilo Interiors: an accelerating shift toward the thoughtful reuse of existing buildings, not only for economic reasons, but for speed, sustainability, and ESG alignment.
The Current Landscape: A Birmingham Market in Transition
The Birmingham office market is undergoing a structural transformation. While the city continues to attract major occupiers across legal, tech, and financial services, the development pipeline for new-build office space remains limited. This supply constraint is creating a clear opportunity for office refurbishment in Birmingham to bridge the gap — and to do so in ways that are faster, greener, and more aligned with what today’s occupiers truly value.
Refurbishment, especially when approached with strategic design and sustainability in mind, offers landlords and asset managers a route to:
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Deliver high-performance office space to the market in less time than a ground-up build
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Improve EPC ratings and reduce carbon impact
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Enhance letting potential and retention by meeting modern workplace expectations
As the gap in rent between refurbished and new-build offices in Birmingham narrows to around 15%, as reported by Savills, refurbishment is no longer the fallback — it’s the frontrunner.
Office Fit Out in Birmingham: The Shift in Occupier Priorities
At Estilo Interiors, we’ve spent the last two decades delivering tailored, high-quality office fit-outs in Birmingham, across the West Midlands and throughout the UK. In that time, we’ve seen a clear evolution in what businesses want from their workspaces. It’s no longer just about desks and square footage — it’s about experience, flexibility, wellness, and sustainability.
Today’s occupiers are demanding:
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Flexible layouts that support hybrid working and activity-based zoning
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Sustainable features, from energy-efficient lighting to biophilic design
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Brand-aligned aesthetics that reflect company culture and values
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Staff wellbeing enhancements, including breakout spaces, acoustic treatments, and natural light
All of these are achievable — and often more cost-effective — through a high-quality office redesign in Birmingham, rather than new development.
From Renovation to Reimagination: The New Standard in Office Design
The idea that refurbishment is a compromise has been firmly left behind. Our approach at Estilo Interiors is to treat every office renovation in Birmingham as an opportunity to elevate — not just restore — a space. With the right design strategy and build expertise, existing buildings can be reimagined into high-performing, inspirational environments that match or surpass new-build standards.
Refurbishment also offers advantages that align directly with corporate and investor goals:
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Speed to market: Projects can complete months — or even years — ahead of new developments
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Reduced risk: Existing infrastructure often allows for faster approvals and clearer scope
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Lower embodied carbon: Retaining structural elements supports ESG and BREEAM goals
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Cost efficiency: Refurbishment often delivers better value per square foot, especially when time and sustainability are factored in
These factors are especially important in a market like Birmingham, where location, sustainability, and timing often outweigh the prestige of a new development.
35 Newhall Street — A Complete Office Building Transformation
A prime example of full-scale office refurbishment in Birmingham is Estilo Interiors’ work at 35 Newhall Street, where we were appointed to deliver a comprehensive, building-wide transformation. This Cat A refurbishment covered all five floors of the centrally located office building, including the reception, landlord areas, and common facilities. Our brief was to reposition the asset to meet modern occupier expectations — balancing design quality, energy performance, and end-user wellbeing. From improved lighting and HVAC to sleek contemporary finishes and enhanced amenities, the result is a flexible, ESG-aligned workspace ready for the next generation of tenants.
The 35 Newhall Street project demonstrates how office refurbishment in Birmingham is evolving beyond cosmetic upgrades — becoming a strategic, value-driving investment. Rather than competing with a limited pipeline of new builds, landlords are choosing to elevate existing stock through intelligent design and rapid delivery. As highlighted by Savills, this is a growing market trend across the West Midlands, where occupiers increasingly favour buildings that combine location, sustainability, and quality — without the wait or environmental cost of ground-up development.
Centre City, Birmingham — A Landmark Refurbishment by Estilo Interiors
Another standout example of Estilo Interiors’ capability in office fit out in Birmingham is our landmark project at Centre City, undertaken for Bruntwood SciTech. As part of a £4.5 million redevelopment of this prominent 20‑storey building, Estilo delivered a high-spec Cat B design and fit‑out across 15,000 sq ft, including a completely reimagined reception and atrium, new business suite, café, and basement wellness facilities such as a gym and shower studio — all completed in just 26 weeks
The transformation of Centre City aligns closely with the themes of the wider article: breathing new life into existing assets to deliver flexible, sustainable, and occupier-first workspace. The project emphasised wellness and connectivity — featuring a dramatic living wall arrival, abundant greenery throughout communal areas, and high-end tenant amenities — all of which help reposition the building as a modern, competitive offering in Birmingham’s tight office market. Estilo’s delivery not only elevated Centre City’s tenant experience, but also supported its long-term asset strategy by significantly enhancing its appeal in the local innovation ecosystem.
Sustainability Is No Longer Optional
Environmental performance is now front and centre of workplace decision-making. Occupiers are increasingly seeking buildings with strong green credentials — and office refurbishments in Birmingham are often the quickest way to deliver meaningful ESG improvements.
Refurbishing an existing office allows landlords to upgrade heating and cooling systems, introduce smart controls, switch to LED lighting, and use sustainable finishes — all without the environmental impact of demolition and rebuild. From a BREEAM or NABERS perspective, retrofitting with purpose is now viewed as a sustainable best practice.
As more companies commit to net-zero targets, office landlords must align their offering — and fast. Working with a design and fit-out specialist like Estilo Interiors ensures that office design in Birmingham is both aesthetically striking and performance-driven.
Why Estilo Interiors is the Right Partner
We’ve delivered office fit outs across the Birmingham city centre core, Digbeth, Edgbaston, and the wider West Midlands, helping landlords reposition tired stock into Grade A spaces that attract high-calibre tenants.
What sets us apart is our ability to manage the full journey:
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Strategic consultancy – understanding the business goals behind every fit-out
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Concept design – balancing function, aesthetic and sustainability
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Technical delivery – managing timelines, budgets and compliance without compromise
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Aftercare and adaptability – helping landlords and occupiers flex with evolving needs
Whether you’re planning a full-scale office renovation in Birmingham or a phased office redesign for ongoing tenants, our team ensures that every aspect of the transformation delivers long-term value.
The Future of Office Space in Birmingham
With regional demand staying strong and corporate requirements evolving fast, refurbishment is no longer just a stopgap — it’s the strategy. From increasing energy efficiency to enhancing occupier appeal, the benefits of reimagining existing buildings are clear.
And as the Birmingham market continues to absorb high-quality refurbished space at record levels — as highlighted by Savills — those who act decisively will be best placed to capture value in a competitive market.
Thinking of an Office Fit Out in Birmingham? Let’s Talk
At Estilo Interiors, we’re helping shape the future of commercial property through exceptional office refurbishment. Birmingham’s future-ready offices won’t be built — they’ll be reimagined.
If you’re planning your next office fit out, office refurbishment, or full office redesign in Birmingham, our team is ready to help. Contact us here!
