Ballymore is looking to cash in on Birmingham’s dearth of grade-A office space by moving forward with its partially stalled 1.2m sq ft Snowhill development.
The Irish developer has submitted a revised outline planning application for the third and final phase of development, which will house a 250,000 sq ft office tower on the 4-acre site next to Snow Hill station and fronting St Chad’s Cathedral.
The Sidell Gibson-designed scheme will also include 56,000 sq ft of conference space, 13,000 sq ft of shops and restaurants and 180 parking spaces. The 15-storey building will be the tallest of the three Snowhill offices.
Original plans for the phase included two skyscrapers – a 44-storey residential tower with 332 flats and a five-star Westin Hotel & Spa. Work stopped on site in 2008.
Construction will not begin until a prelet has been secured, but subject to consent, work could start on site in 2014 with completion in 2016.
Project director Richard Probert said: “We see an opportunity to take advantage of a potential gap in the pipeline of such large floorplate schemes in the city centre between 2013 and 2018. The scheme will deliver an iconic new Grade A office building at this key gateway to Birmingham city centre, retaining some of the elements of the previous scheme constructed below the already-built podium.”
The first phase of Snowhill was completed in 2009 and is being sold by Commerz Real for £124m – a 6.25% yield. The second 300,000 sq ft phase is due to complete in 2013 and includes a 250,000 sq ft prelet to law firm Wragge & Co.
Turley Associates advised on the outline planning application for the third phase.
lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com
