Rare, a subsidiary of computing company Microsoft, is all set to move into more spacious accommodations in Birmingham. The move is believed to have been orchestrated by Microsoft itself, which has played broker to make the arrangements.

Rare is a development company operating out of offices in Twycross. The company is said to be ready to relocate to Digbeth’s Fazeley Studios office blocks, the last of the shared office space in this area available for sale. Microsoft’s acquisition of this office has led to great cheer in the City Council. Martin Mullaney, cabinet member for leisure, sport, and culture, expressed hope that this move will lead to further interest in Birmingham office spaces that can serve as ideal locations for digital ventures.

The Fazeley Studios office is very close to the current headquarters of Rare. The relocation is being seen as an expansion move rather than a downsizing action, which is more common during the current climate of slowdown. Rare has been recruiting programmers and interns recently, and perhaps wishes to set up office in a bigger area to accommodate future additions to the staff.

However, this is all pure speculation, as no announcement has been forthcoming from Rare or Microsoft about the necessity for new offices now.

The company may even retain the current premises in Twycross, judging from the fact that the ongoing contract has not been terminated yet.

The new premises in Fazeley Studios are an office development in Unitarian Chapel, which is a historic landmark that is more than a century old. Extra space is also made available in the old Sunday school buildings adjacent to the structure. The location is made up of large factories that have now been converted into studios.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Economy, Public Relations, Real Estate Profits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.