Prestigious Imperial and Whitehall fully let after L-E-A-P agency occupation

Birmingham office building Imperial and Whitehall is fully let following the relocation of innovative brand agency L-E-A-P to the property’s final remaining suite. 

L-E-A-P’s creative co-partners have signed a one-year lease with landlord Hortons’ Estate Ltd to occupy the 215 sq ft, second floor office space at the Grade II* listed building at 23 Colmore Row. 

Combining 40 years of experience, L-E-A-P co-partners Ricky Neault and Paul Ray spearhead the strategic agency’s design, development and formation of startup and big name brands. 

From Aston Martin to BT, the company has worked on behalf of a wide range of businesses, coordinating with lesser-known founders and the executive boards of larger corporations alike. 

Defining themselves as Birmingham’s only official ‘brand agency’, the L-E-A-P directors will work alongside an experienced network of freelancers.  

Fashion designer Ying Liao Ltd took the building’s penultimate office space, signing for a three-year lease. 

Imperial and Whitehall forms part of Birmingham’s iconic The Grand Hotel, which was originally built by Isaac Horton almost 150 years ago. Hortons’ refurbished the building to create modern, flexible working suites, characterised by many of the iconic building’s original features. 

Ricky Neault, Strategic Partner at L-E-A-P stated: “It was important for us that we chose Imperial and Whitehall. A lot of creative agencies tend to go to Digbeth, the Custard Factory and quirkier places out of town. For us, Colmore Row has a real kind of authority and professionalism about it. For us and the type of work we do, we wanted a much more prestigious address. The Imperial and Whitehall building, being part of The Grand Hotel, is one of the most prestigious buildings on the row so for us it was the perfect space.”

Nina Meeks of Hortons’, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome L-E-A-P as one of two new tenants who have chosen Imperial and Whitehall as the location from which to grow their businesses. It’s particularly pleasing to have secured these lettings given the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Occupiers have been attracted by the central Birmingham location on Colmore Row and the availability of smaller, modern office suites that retain the character of a period building.”