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Kinrise unveils carbon neutral workspace in Birmingham

Written by Amy

The redevelopment of Corporation Street in Birmingham city centre has moved onto the next stage, as renovations of the historic Citadel building are now fully underway by hybrid office developer Kinrise. Set to be the city’s most sustainable workplace, Citadel will be completed this summer and will offer over 46,000 sqft of office, retail and social space behind its remarkable Victorian façade at 190 Corporation Street.

Run by a building app and state-of-the-art technology, Citadel will be operationally net zero carbon, powered by 100% green electricity, from LED lighting to VRF air conditioning, and with electric car charging stations and cycle storage spaces. This new zero emission status is a drastic change from the building’s previous operating output of approx.194,428kg of carbon per annum.

Kinrise Co-Founder Sam Lawson Johnston says; “Our ethos at Kinrise has always been to renovate, rather than rebuild and to ensure we are doing our best by the local community. Sustainability is one of the key pillars on which we built Kinrise, and forms a huge part of our work at Citadel, where we are committed to using no fossil fuels in operation.

We’re excited to bring the signature Kinrise solution of contemporary and collaborative office working to Birmingham at Citadel and to play a part in reviving the soul of Corporation Street when we open to new tenants this summer.”

Aligned with Kinrise’s vision, Architecture 00 and contractor Overbury have been brought on board to undertake the sensitive restoration of the building and to help usher Citadel into a new era. Local craftspeople and sustainably sourced materials are being used throughout the renovation, ensuring the building’s footprint remains low and contributes to Birmingham’s local economy, whilst saving carbon emission and reducing unnecessary landfill waste by 93%.

Originally developed to mimic a Parisian Boulevard but then heavily redeveloped in the 1960s, Corporation Street is now undergoing an exciting regeneration. Two of Birmingham’s most culturally significant buildings and Citadel neighbours, the Grade II* listed Methodist Central Hall and the former Murdoch Chambers & Pitman Building, are also subject to new investment and set for regeneration in the near future.

Citadel has taken a bold new approach to office design, repurposed to fit a world working differently. Now, tenants can manage their ever-changing spatial needs with fluid access to overflow desks, meeting rooms and event spaces alongside their core office. Bookable by the hour on the app, giving tenants, whether solo entrepreneur or established company, a new level of operational agility through truly lean space. Tenants will also benefit from Citadel’s cultural, wellness and impact programmes designed to foster meaningful connections within the community. Fitness classes will be hosted on site as well as food pop-ups, supper clubs, art exhibitions and regular partnerships with local charities.

At Citadel, Kinrise is bringing its experience of creating and running highly successful hybrid office spaces in Leeds and Manchester to Birmingham, with spaces in the pipeline in Liverpool and London.

About the author

Amy