About Trigram

Bill Houle of Trigram Properties Ltd is a high profile, motivated and experienced West Midlands based Chartered Surveyor who has over 30 years private sector property experience at Director level and a succession of key appointments in related roles. Bill has extensive expertise in developing commercial, industrial and residential property in the region working closely with industrialists, professionals, the banks and public bodies. He makes representation in support of regional initiatives and is a keen proponent of growth through development and investment.
Contact details at http://bit.ly/otVto2
Sector Experience
Trigram Properties Ltd http://www.triprop.co.uk Formed in 2001 – a partnership development company delivering commercial residential and mixed use schemes in the West Midlands and throughout the country
Phoenix Beard Consultant Surveyors Director 1977 – 2001 – Development consultancy, agency and professional work across a range of uses on a regional and national basis
Qualifications FRICS appointed a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 1988 (qualified 1979)
Sector relevant appointments
Member of West Midlands Land Forum 1981 - 1986
Midlands Chairman Business and Industrial Agents Society 1985 -1988
Founder member of Birmingham Design Initiative 1987
Treasurer of Birmingham Design Initiative 1994
Property course adviser and occasional lecturer to University of Central England (later BCU) 1995 - 1999
Trustee of Birmingham Conservation Trust 1990 - 2012
Secretary of Birmingham Conservation Trust 1999
Director of the Sanctuary, Castle Vale 2000
Member of West Midlands Developers Alliance 2008
Member of Broad Street Developers Group (Westside and Broad Street BID) 2009
Governor of Queen Alexandra College 2010 (property advice)
Major Projects
Langley Point – Ongoing http://www.langleypoint.com
Langley Point is a 44,500 sq ft new Grade A speculative office building being built in the central office area of Birmingham. It is designed to BREEAM excellent standard. Funding is provided by Folkes Holdings and Corum Property Investments in a special vehicle Trifolkes Stona LLP
Studley Point – Ongoing. http://www.studleypoint.com
Studley Point, is a modern Headquarters office building located on the A435 Birmingham Road, Studley 6 miles from Junction 3 of the M42 via a dual carriageway. The offices have been fully refurbished. A total of 20,166 sq ft is being let on 3 floors with over 80 car parking spaces.
A development site of 2 acres approx is being brought forward for residential development.
Drayton Manor Business Park – Completed
The Foseco manufacturing facility located in the greenbelt adjoining Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth was acquired in 2003. HSBC Specialist Fund Management brought in Trigram to work with them on the acquisition, rebranding and refurbishment of this major 48 acre site.
Drayton Manor Business Park comprises some 520,000 sq ft of buildings over 250,000 sq ft of which has been refurbished, redeveloped and re-let over a 2 year period. The site was sold in February 2005.
Scholars Gate, Birmingham – Completed
Completed in 2007, this mixed-use mainly residential scheme comprised 38 apartments and 2 small offices. 22 of the apartments are listed and the majority have sold to owner occupiers. Scholars Gate is now an award winning development, being the ‘Special Development’ winner of the Birmingham Post & Mail House Design Awards 2006 and receiving a conservation commendation in the BDI Industry & Genius Awards 2007. Trigram took the lead role under an SPV with our development partner Piper Securities Holdings.
'Opal – Birmingham One – Student Accommodation in Birmingham - Completed'
Trigram Properties worked with specialist student housing developer, Opal, to gain planning consent for the development of an 18 storey tower containing student accommodation. The site was acquired at tender on a conditional basis from the Optima Community Association. Planning consent was granted for an 18 storey tower comprising 604 student bed spaces, swimming pool, gym and internet café.. The application followed a long period of consultation with local residents and has achieved a landmark building that was opened in 2007.
'DerwentHouse, Wolverhampton – Completed'
Derwent House comprises a 33,000 sq ft office building acquired from Carillion PLC, refurbished let and sold in partnership with Sandpiper Group.
'Aqua, Lionel Street, Birmingham - Completed'
This former Severn Trent building at 20-25 Lionel Street was acquired quickly for refurbishment. Trigram identified the potential to add a floor to the building. We created 41,600 sq ft of high quality air conditioned office accommodation.The building was sold early in 2007 at the top of the investment market. Trigram’s funding partners were The Sandpiper Group.
Featured articles and news
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.