Once known as New Hall Lane, Colmore Row evolved into the most prestigious thoroughfare in Birmingham and one of the city's most sought-after business addresses.
Then known as New Hall Lane, the Elm-lined avenue led to a grand Jacobean mansion, the home of William Colmore. A commercial rabbit farm surrounded the mansion situated close to where Great Charles Street lies today.
Building of St Philip’s Church, initiated development in this area. Now a Grade I listed Cathedral, it was designed in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer.
In 1746 a private Act of Parliament opened up the New Hall Estate to the north for development, with the first plots being let and developed from 1747 onwards.
The road was renamed at this point, but initially only the stretch between Newhall Street and Livery Street was named Colmore Row (after the Colmore family, owners of the New Hall Estate).
The original buildings of Colmore Row were the brick and stucco Georgian houses typical of the late 18th century. The 120 year leases on these properties started to expire in the 1840s and 1850s, and between 1869 and 1900 all were replaced.
Between 1869 and 1900 all were replaced by the late Victorian commercial premises that still give the street its predominant character.
55 Colmore Row was designed in the Georgian style, so popular in the late Victorian era, by JJ Bateman for the Midland Land & Investment Corporation.
The Grand Banking Hall was designed by HR Yeoville Thomason as a secure building for the Dudley and District Bank in Nos. 63 - 65 Colmore Row.
Colmore Row, was designated a Conservation Area to protect buildings for future generations. The area was subsequently enlarged in 1985.
Barclays Bank proposed a redevelopment of 55-73 Colmore Row.
The local planning authority called for greater retention of the building’s structure as with other schemes in the area, but the Government granted permission to retain the façades and the Banking Hall and demolish the rest of the buildings.
In the early 1990s everything apart from the listed façade and Banking Hall was stripped out and the five buildings were merged to make 55 Colmore Row a single building.
The entire buidling of 136,080 sq ft was let on a full repairing and insuring lease over 25 years from the 5th January 1992, to Birmingham law firm Wragge & Co, now known as Gowling WLG.
In June 2014 IM Properties completed the purchase of 55 Colmore Row from Kames Capital for £34 million.
At that time the total internal area measured 136,080 sq ft.
IM Properties appointed an award winning project team to deliver the £30 million redevelopment of prime Grade A space, totalling 160,000 sq ft.
Architects: AHR, Lead Contractor: Morgan Sindall,
M&E Engineer: Watkins Payne Partnership, Project Management & Employers Agent: Projex Building Solutions, Structural Engineer: Copeland Wedge Associates, Quantity Surveyor & CDM: DBK
In October 2015 the redevelopment of 55 Colmore Row commenced.
When the building wrap for 55 Colmore Row was installed in November 2015 it set a new record for the largest wrap in the UK. Taking over 500 man hours to complete, weighing 1,200 kg and using 2,500 brass eyelets to secure, the wrap came down in November 2016 to reveal the building.
International Law firm Pinsent Masons, announced that they were taking over 40,000 sq ft over two floors in 55 Colmore Row.
Greg Lowson, Head of Pinsent Masons Birmingham office said: “Birmingham is going to be among the most vibrant legal and commercial centres outside of London, and our flagship new office reflects that.”
Renowned London operator Gaucho, will sit on the corner of Church Street and Colmore Row, with a dedicated entrance on Church Street opposite the proposed new entrance of the Grand Hotel.
Zeev Godik, Gaucho said:
“We’ve been looking at Birmingham for some time but finding the right location was crucial.”
IM Properties along with their team of experts created 160,000 sq ft of Grade A office space in the heart of Birmingham. 55 Colmore Row now has two additional floors, a completely new reception area with state of the art technology and greatly enhanced accommodation. The completed building was delivered in January 2017.
Savills is the second high profile name in the city to sign up to IM Properties' 55 Colmore Row, agreeing a 15-year lease on 16,956 sq ft, taking the entire top floor.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to relocate its West Midlands office to 55 Colmore Row.