Trigram Properties Ltd is a partnership commercial and residential property developer and investor. The company was established in February 2001. The company has an enviable track record working with a variety of partners, including the equity arms of mainstream banks – HSBC Specialist Investments and RBS, property investors and other developers including Prosperity Wealth, Prosperity Developments, Willmott Dixon, The Sandpiper Group, Folkes Holdings, Crest Nicholson, Piper Securities and Corum and occupiers such as KSIAMCB, Shurgard Self Storage, Selco Trade Centres, and the Optima Community Association (now part of WM Housing Group).
The company was founded by Bill Houle FRICS
Bill is a former director of consultant surveyors Phoenix Beard based in Birmingham. His expertise and wealth of experience enables Trigram Properties to come up with innovative solutions for the delivery of profitable projects across a range of uses and locations.
billjumplink
Bill Houle FRICS
Bill Houle FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor based in the West Midlands with a wealth of experience across all sectors of property. He was a Director of Phoenix Beard Chartered Surveyors for many years before setting up his own property development company, Trigram Properties on 1st February 2001. He has developed award winning development schemes and delivered projects in partnership with banks, other developers, investors and occupiers in the West Midlands and throughout the UK. His developments have ranged from BREEAM Excellent offices to industrial estates, listed building conversions and student housing.
Trigram acquired the derelict former Birmingham Athletics Institute in Severn Street from Birmingham City Council. Completed in 2007, this mixed-use mainly residential scheme comprises 38 apartments and 2 small offices. 22 of the apartments are listed and the majority were sold to owner occupiers. The development won awards for both marketing and conservation. It is located in the heart of Birmingham City Centre next to the Mailbox.
Through Trigram Properties, Bill developed a close relationship with Optima Community Association and its partners Crest Nicholson. He met and liaised closely with local resident groups both within and outside the Optima board and presented complex property regeneration solutions for specific sites. Some of these were subsequently implemented. These include “Birmingham One” an 18 storey student housing tower that brings a new generation and new life as well as providing much needed sports facilities to the community. Also, using a complex funding solution Bill developed a new green office building at Bath Row, Langley Point which has now been sold to become a new Academy bringing improved education into the area completing that sector of regeneration for the community.
In recent years, Bill evolved Trigram to provide a mix of consultancy on development as well as undertaking direct development. The company became a UK representative for Shurgard Self Storage, one of the largest self storage operators in Europe. Trigram also worked closely with Willmott Dixon as it pioneered a move into the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in the provision of rented apartments for young professionals. Now Trigram is working with the Prosperity Fund both in the direct development of PRS schemes and their acquisition from other developers.
In the early nineties Bill became a trustee of the Birmingham Conservation Trust. He was also honorary secretary and a director of the Trust’s development company. One of their flagship projects was the delivery of the “Back to Backs” a prestige project sold to the National Trust and now their most successful City Centre project. Bill sat also on the Birmingham City Council’s influential Conservation Heritage Panel keeping fresh his close links to the City that has been his working base for over 35 years.
As treasurer of the Birmingham Design Initiative he organised over a number of years the bi-annual Bdi Industry and Genius awards. These prestigious events hosted by notables such as Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs and Tony Robinson (Time Team) contributed to the recognition of Birmingham as a design led centre and were contributory to initiatives such as Highbury and later MADE – the Birmingham based design champions.
Bill is currently a Governor of Queen Alexandra College in Harborne. Their students have visual impairment and other disabilities. The college creates an inspiring learning environment and Bill’s role includes supporting their work with his property expertise. Bill is also Chairman of QAC Enterprises with responsibility for the string of private companies operated by the College to assist with income and provide work and learning experience for the students.
Bill lives with his wife, Julia and a variety of animals on a small farm at the bottom of Kinver Edge in North Worcestershire. His hobbies include mucking around with cars and horses. He also enjoys gadgets, cycling, dancing, travel, music and a good electronic book!