‘Secret’ Edgbaston Business Centre to be Auctioned
With parking for 37 cars just 400 yds from Hagley Road

Freehold business premises and parking which have been hidden from view for over 40 years are to be auctioned on 6 December. Portland Court Business Centre, at 35 Portland Road in Edgbaston, consists of a 3900 sq ft single storey office building, a 37 bay car park, and 200 sq yds of lawns. The site is somewhat unique, as it is a fairly large business premises set in an unusually peaceful location,”

At just 350 yards from the Thistle Hotel on Hagley Road, and less than one mile from Five Ways Roundabout, the Business Centre is a 1960’s development to the rear of Portland Court Apartments. These were formerly a large Victorian house, recently extended and converted into nine apartments by Dunstanton Homes.

The site was previously the headquarters of the Quantity Surveying firm Silk and Frazier, who were based at 35 Portland Road for over 50 years, and who in 1998 merged with Faithful and Gould, the Quantity Surveying arm of W S Atkins, and moved to Atkins offices in the city centre in 2002.

Dunstanton Homes’ Managing Director, Philip Read, expects the auction to attract a high level of interest from the local business community. “Many businesses would prefer to own their premises rather than paying rent to a landlord, but are unable to find a suitable site to buy. Portland Court Business Centre would provide a great opportunity for the owners of such a business, who may, for example, wish to invest their pension fund in the site and lease the premises to their own business.”

Mr Read also commented that the Business Centre enjoys the benefit of unconditional Class B1 business use consent, which was granted over 20 years ago. Under recent planning guidelines, premises with Class B1 planning consent can be transferred between a range of uses without the need for further permission to be obtained. Premises may be used for a broad range of office, light industrial, or research and development purposes, including high-tech, laboratory and pharmaceutical uses.

The auction of Portland Court Business Centre is being handled by Bond Wolfe auctioneers. Ron Darlington of Bond Wolfe commented on his surprise when he first drove onto the site. “You enter through automatic security gates, and at first you see very little of the site. Then you emerge into a large car park, with 37 parking bays and lawns beyond. It is a real surprise, one of Edgbaston’s secrets”.

Mr Darlington also commented that the site has the added benefit of redevelopment potential. “The site could be redeveloped under its existing Class B1 business consent to provide superior business accommodation and parking, or, as a ‘brownfield’ site, it could potentially be redeveloped for residential use subject to planning consent”.

The building has been redecorated inside and out, and carpeted. It has underfloor heating. The current owners have applied for planning consent for the addition of a pitched roof.

The guide price is £700k to £900k, with vacant possession. Viewings commence on Monday 20th November.

For further details see www.bondwolfe.net or www.dunstantonhomes.co.uk/pcbc , or telephone Bond Wolfe on 0121 525 0600 or Philip Read on 07836 225655.

A RARE OPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE
AN EXCEPTIONAL FREEHOLD 1960s PROPERTY

PORTLAND COURT BUSINESS CENTRE
35 PORTLAND ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM
(just 350yds from the Thistle Hotel on Hagley road)

3900 sq ft OFFICE BUILDING (362.3 sq m)
37 bay CAR PARK (plus bike and bin area)
Class B1 Planning Consent (unconditional), permitting office, high-tech, light industrial, laboratory, R&D etc. use.
400yds from Hagley Road
Less than 1 mile from Five Ways Roundabout
4 miles from M5 Junction 3
200 sq yds of external Staff Amenity Areas (lawns)
Exceptionally quiet location
Secure gated access (electric remote/keypad)
Newly decorated and carpeted
Underfloor heating
On Main Bus Routes 128 and 129
Planning application for pitched roof
Viewings commence Monday 20th November.

ALSO WITH REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
AS A ‘BROWNFIELD SITE’, SUBJECT TO PLANNING CONSENT

GUIDE PRICE £700k to £900k. Vacant possession.

FOR SITE AND BUILDING PLANS SEE
www.dunstantonhomes.co.uk/pcbc
FOR AUCTION DETAILS SEE www.bondwolfe.net (LOT 26, 6 DECEMBER)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
BOND WOLFE AUCTIONEERS (RON DARLINGTON), TEL: 0121 525 0600
P. J. READ BUILDING SERVICES (PHILIP READ), TEL: 07836 225655