The Microsoft subsidiary “Rare” is all set to get down to business in a new spacious office block that is not all that far from its current location. The move appears to have been carefully engineered by top bosses at Microsoft itself.
The company now functions from its offices in Twycross and will move to Digbeth’s Fazeley Studios after the change. The Viva Piata developer will have much more space in the new accommodations that parent company Microsoft seems to have hand picked for it. Microsoft is believed to have arranged the deal.
The proposed new offices are located in the historic Unitarian Chapel. Extra shared offices is also available in the nearby old Sunday school structures. The entire area is dotted with large studios that have been developed from the previously existing factory structures. The last of the vacant office blocks here have been acquired by Microsoft.
There has been no official word on why the move needs to happen now. Considering that Rare is currently looking for new employees to join its staff, the usual excuse of downsizing does not apply in this case either. Rare is taking programmers and intern staff into its fold now, and this makes it more likely that the move into bigger offices indicates an effort towards expansion.
It is believed that the company may even hold on to its current offices in addition to the new ones, going by the fact that the present arrangement has not been cancelled yet.
Martin Mullaney from the City Cabinet office remarked that the acquisition of office space here by computer giant Microsoft is very heartening, as it brings Birmingham into the spotlight as a much sought after area for digital initiatives.
