Brims win Fram Well

The Hanro Group and iMpeC Developments have announced Brims as their contractor for the development of The Fram Well, Durham City’s first speculatively-built ‘Grade A’ office building in more than a decade.

The developers will undertake the final stages of the contracting process with Brims before a planned start on site this spring.The Fram Well site, which is located off Framwellgate Peth immediately adjacent to Durham’s mainline railway station, will create a 12,000 square foot, three floor building containing high specification, flexible, open plan ‘Grade A’ offices.

Rejuvenating an area of the city that has been allowed to become rundown, the development has the potential to attract up to 150 new jobs to Durham.   It will complement the planned developments at Aykley Heads and Milburngate on the Riverside, which, combined, will significantly improve Durham’s portfolio of commercial property and enhance its position both regionally and nationally.

Brims will work closely with the development team to realise the vision for The Fram Well, which has been designed by award-winning Mawson Kerr, the creative Newcastle based architects practice.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The Fram Well will be the first Grade A office accommodation in our area, with facilities of this kind having always been in high demand among businesses looking to invest in the heart of Durham. We are looking forward to seeing the developments at the Fram Well site regenerate the area.”

Neil McMillan, managing director of iMpeC Developments, said: ““I’m encouraged that ahead of starting our formal marketing for The Fram Well we have already received a number of expressions of interest from prospective tenants. This re-affirms our view that Durham is a city where businesses want to be located. With a world-class university, city centre amenity and an east coast mainline station on our doorstep, The Fram Well will appeal to employers that appreciate how the workplace is a crucial part of the equation in attracting and retaining talented people.”