The Birmingham based office of property consultants GVA are reporting a high level of interest in the current Birmingham Assay Office Building which went on the market in October. Offers are invited for the Victorian building which is on the fringe of the City Centre and The Jewellery Quarter, in the sought after St Paul’s Square area of the City.

Front Entrance The Birmingham Assay Office

The building was purpose built for The Assay Office in 1877 and has been gradually extended to accommodate the growth in the business. One of Birmingham’s oldest institutions, The Assay Office was founded in 1773 to carry out its statutory duty of hallmarking precious metals.  In the past fifteen years successful diversification into other sectors such as consumer product safety testing for fashion jewellery and accessories, as well as gemstone certification and jewellery valuations, has driven The Assay Office to seek new, larger premises.  A cleared site has been acquired on the Icknield Street side of the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and building is due to begin in 2014. GVA are now inviting offers for the existing Grade II listed Assay Office building on Newhall Street.  GVA Director Charles Toogood said “We are very encouraged by the strong level of interest and the diverse sectors, from residential to educational, who have shown interest in the property. This is not surprising as this freehold property has evident benefits, not least its location, its heritage and its private car park.” Offers, accompanied by supporting schemes are invited by 12 noon on Friday 24^th January 2014. More information about the Assay Office building can be found at www.gva.co.uk/assayoffice  About The Birmingham Assay Office Now the largest Assay Office in the world, this not-for-profit organisation has been a centre of expert opinion and independent assessment of jewellery and precious metals for nearly 250 years. The Organisation takes pride in its high level of service and the use of the latest technology by all its commercial divisions, from Hallmarking, Diamond and Gemstone Certification, Jewellery, Watch and Silverware Valuations through to precious and non precious metal testing, product safety and quality assurance testing as well as educational training and consultancy. The Birmingham Assay Office · PO Box 151 · Newhall Street · BirminghamB3 1SB t 0871 871 6020    f 0121 236 9487    e gem@theassayoffice.co.uk  w www.theassayoffice.co.uk

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