The group, which develops and maintains railway tracks, bridges, tunnels and signalling systems around the UK, has committed to take up just under 30,000 square feet in what is the largest city in the region.
A five-year lease has been agreed on space in Norfolk House on SmallBrook Queensway, with Network Rail’s administrative and ancillary staff preparing for a switch to the site.
The Birmingham offices are owned by Moredun on whose behalf a deal was struck by the property consultancy GBR Pheonix Beard.
John Griffiths from the London and Birmingham-based advisory firm said: “Norfolk House’s strategic location adjacent to New Street station, coupled with its large, clear floorplates have again resulted in a rapid re-letting of this landmark building.”
Derek Owen, estates manager at Network Rail said: “We required good quality accommodation in close proximity to New Street Station and Norfolk House proved to be the ideal option whilst the redevelopment of the station takes place.”
Network Rail is run effectively as a publicly-listed business but it does not issue shareholder dividends and its profits are reinvested into its operations across the UK. It was handed a mandate by the government to operate Britain’s railways in 2002.
GBR Pheonix Beard noted on announcing the deal with Network Rail that the fifth floor at Norfolk House is undergoing an extensive refurbishment with a view to providing office space for small and medium-sized companies looking for a new base in Birmingham.
Editor’s notes: In 2017, Network Rail agreed to rent 85,000 square feet of refurbished office space at Baskerville House in Centenary Square.
The engineering company that operates 20,000 miles of train tracks in the UK chose the space partly because the office is just a 5-minute walk to New Street Station.
Network Rail had signed a 5-year lease at Norfolk House.