Birmingham council’s development control committee has backed a revamp of Urban Splash’s £50m plans for Fort Dunlop in the city.
The revised 350,000 sq ft (32,515 sq m) plans by architect Shed KM have added a 95-bed hotel featuring a 50m electric blue ‘spine’ with round portico windows which will protrude from the former warehouse.
The scheme also includes 310,000 sq ft (28,800 sq m) of offices, as well as shops, flexible workspace, a leisure centre and car parking.
Development control committee chair, councillor Renee Spector, said: “This design is adventurous, but after Selfridges we expect nothing less for major landmark schemes.”
The Grade A listed building next to the M6 has lain vacant for 20 years, with previous attempts to secure a commercially viable use for the scheme having failed.
In May last year, Alan Chatham – the man behind The Mailbox – and business partner Mark Billingham pulled out of the redevelopment and sold their stake to partner Urban Splash because of a “clash of cultures”.
Urban Splash then worked with regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM), which awarded a £12.4m grant towards refurbishment costs.
AWM originally selected the Mailbox/Urban Splash joint venture – known as Urban Box – as development partner early in 2000.
In September 2001, planners forced Urban Box to reduce the retail element of the 350,000 sq ft (32,515 sq m) scheme from 135,000 sq ft (12,542 sq m) to around 27,000 sq ft (2,508 sq m).
Urban Box then drew up plans for 310,000 sq ft (28,800 sq m) of offices with ancillary shops and leisure.
The proposals won consent in December 2002.
References: EGi News 13/01/04
