Our Work
Illuminated signage for Bruntwood 'Centre City'
When Bruntwood, one of the UK’s leading commercial property specialists, began refurbishing Centre City in Birmingham, they knew the building’s exterior needed to make just as strong an impression as its interior. Having worked with them for over ten years, Signs Express Manchester were their first call.
The Brief
We’ve worked alongside Bruntwood on projects across Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham for more than a decade. Over that time, we’ve created everything from sleek internal wayfinding systems and reception branding to large-scale illuminated lettering.
Located right next to Birmingham New Street Station and only a short walk from the Bullring, Centre City is a landmark building that’s hard to miss. At 20 storeys tall, with tenants like Legal & General and Ofwat, it’s an address that carries weight.
After a £4.5 million refurbishment, Bruntwood wanted new signage that matched the scale and quality of the development. The goal was simple — create something bold, professional, and visible from every angle.
In other words, signage that would hold its own on Birmingham’s skyline.
Challenges and Solutions
Our recommendation was a set of large-scale built-up letters with LED halo illumination — clean, modern, and perfectly in tune with the building’s architecture.
Each letter was fabricated from aluminium, fitted with energy-efficient LEDs, and carefully positioned to ensure a crisp, even halo effect. The lighting was bright enough to stand out after dark, but subtle enough to look elegant during the day.
Working at height always adds complexity, so our team carried out thorough site surveys and planned the installation in detail. Everything from access and fixing systems to weatherproofing was accounted for. The aim was to create something that not only looked great but would last for years with minimal maintenance.
When the final sign went up, the effect was immediate. The crisp glow of the lettering gave the building a sense of presence and confidence — exactly what Bruntwood wanted to achieve.
The Outcome
The new signage completely transformed the building’s exterior, giving it an identity that’s visible across Birmingham’s busy city centre. The clean, illuminated finish reinforces Bruntwood’s reputation for delivering high-quality, design-led spaces.
This project was a great example of what long-term collaboration can achieve. We’ve been working with Bruntwood for many years, and it’s always rewarding to see how much impact great signage can have — especially on a landmark building like Centre City.
At Signs Express Manchester, we’ve been designing and installing high-impact signage for over 30 years. Whether it’s illuminated lettering, architectural branding, or internal wayfinding, our team takes pride in combining design flair with technical precision.
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