Potential new role for surplus offices in Coventry city centre
Council to look for developer who can refurbish city centre building.
Last updated 29th Jul 2025
City centre offices could be turned into apartments after they were deemed surplus to requirements.
Coventry City Council staff currently work on the upper five floors of Broadgate House, a grade II listed building in the pedestrianised city centre at the entrance to Hertford Street and facing the Lady Godiva statue. A phased programme over the autumn will see those working there moved to other sites.
At today’s (Tuesday) cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change meeting, it was explained that while the offices could be turned into flats, the ground floor shops would be retained.
Paul Beesley, Coventry City Council’s head of development, disposal and acquisitions, said: “We are seeking approval to go out and market Broadgate House for the potential reuse and refurbishment of the upper floors."
“This is a mixed use building in the city centre and is becoming vacant. Our intention is to go out to the market to seek contractors, developers and investors to bring proposals forward including the provision of private and affordable housing but specifically excluding any student housing."
“The council would look to retain the ground floor retail units so we would lease out the whole building and then lease back the ground floor units so that we can retain the income generated from those."
“Until we go out to market and clearly understand who is out there and what proposals are available we can’t guarantee what will come back but our anticipation is that there will be developers out there who would look at refurbishing the upper floors for an alternative use. It is something we have done already elsewhere in the city."
“This is a grade II listed building and there are a number of elements that need to be protected and maintained so this is not going to be a cheap process.”
Broadgate House was built as part of the initial phase of the post-war regeneration of Coventry city centre. It opened in 1953 as a mixed use development and includes a number of elements of public art including Trevor Tennant’s People of Coventry sculpture and the popular ‘Peeping Tom/ Lady Godiva’ clock, all of which will be preserved.
Labour’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change Cllr Jim O’Boyle said: “As a local authority we own lots of property and it is right that we should look to utilise our property in the most efficient and cost effective way. We have the duty to maximise the potential of our buildings.”