GBR Phoenix Beard Secures Property Management Contract For Calthorpe Estates

Posted on 10 February, 2015 by Cliff Goodwin

A West Midlands’ property consultancy has won the contract to manage and oversea several urban transformation projects on an historic 1,500-acre estate.

Two business colleagues shaking hands during meeting

GBR Phoenix Beard — an independent agency with offices in Birmingham, London and Leeds — has now taken over the management of Calthorpe Estate’s commercial property portfolio, with the prime focus on its prestigious suburban holdings in Edgbaston.

Victoria Burgin, a director at GBR, will be the client director for the Calthorpe account. “We have been working meticulously behind the scenes to be ready to start work with Calthorpe Estates, and are looking forward to liaising closely with the customers and suppliers during this busy period,” she said.

She explained that an early priority will be reviewing the existing property management systems and building on the work already underway on the Calthorpe Estate. “As part of our initial induction, we will be making arrangements to meet with customers on a regular basis to listen to their views and issues,” she added.

Last December the estate submitted a planning application to redevelop several buildings in Harborne Road, Edgbaston, as the latest phase of a village-style regeneration scheme. The company wants to create a “vibrant community” in the Greenfield Crescent area with shops, houses, public space, leisure facilities and possibly a hotel.

If granted, December’s application will allow the conversion of existing buildings to provide three retail units and a 6,500sq ft office complex and eight two-bedroom apartments. A design statement said: “The ground floors will be converted to commercial use, with the aim of attracting high-quality retailers offering more unique or bespoke goods than one might find on the typical high street.”

Commenting on his estate’s new manager, Calthorpe chief executive Mark Lee said: “I am delighted to welcome GBR Phoenix Beard to partner with Calthorpe Estates, having known many of their people for several years.

“It was imperative that we found the right match for this brief, and what has impressed my team during the appointment process has been GBR’s attention to detail and willingness to go the extra distance to understand our unique business model.

“The synergy and shared values of our businesses have been evident throughout the appointment period,” he added.

GBR’s managing director, Simon Farrant, explained the management contract was only secured after several months of detailed discussion “to make sure we offer the right fit with the diverse range of stakeholders involved”.

He continued: “We are extremely proud of our roots in Birmingham and can demonstrate detailed local knowledge of the property market in the city which will greatly benefit to Calthorpe Estates’ customers.”

Situated just a mile from Birmingham city centre, the estate covers both commercial and residential districts and incorporates one of the UK’s largest urban conservation areas. Sir Richard Gough bought the Edgbaston estate and manor from the Middlemore family in 1717 and it has remained under the ownership of the same family for almost 300 years.




Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Recent Posts

Interest Rates Impact on Commercial Property

Commercial Property Investment Outlook for 2023

The best places to stay on the Riviera

The latest property data has identified Newquay as the fastest property seller’s market in the UK

Investing in your garden can increase your property’s value

French Riviera temping high-end homebuyers

How can the ownership rights of my commercial property impact a business sale?

Should I incorporate virtual property viewings permanently?

Investment expected to increase across Asia-Pacific in 2021

UK property industry slows as the conclusion of tax break looms

BNP Paribas cautioned investors on Friday as debt-trading bonanza that increased its earnings this past year

Over 300,000 property purchases fell through in 2020 – we show the most frequent motives and the best way to get your house sale back on track

House Prices in the Capital Surpass £500,000

Optimism from the Bank of England’s chief economist

The most expensive commercial properties.

Businesses operating from shared premises will miss out on grants