Three separate planning consents for Birmingham’s ambitious £500m Paradise development have won consent today, bringing more 350,000 sq ft of speculative office development forward at the scheme.
Birmingham councillors have given their seal of approval for proposals submitted by Paradise development manager Argent on behalf of Hermes Investment Management. The plans are for two new office buildings, One and Two Chamberlain Square, along with the major enhancement of public space in Chamberlain Square – which together represent the first phase of the 1.8m sq ft project.
Demolition of existing buildings including the old Central Library and the Paradise Forum shopping centre is set to start within weeks, and construction on One Chamberlain Square will begin in spring 2016. This will be followed by Two Chamberlain Square in autumn 2016, with the refurbishment of Chamberlain Square also being implemented during this period. Practical completion of this first phase is scheduled for the end of 2018.
Birmingham city council leader Sir Albert Bore said: “As the city sees an unprecedented amount of construction projects and celebrates a series of major transformational events, including the opening of the multi-million-pound New Street Station and Grand Central, in a month we have labelled ‘Super September’, Paradise further consolidates Birmingham’s position as a city that is on the up, attracting investment from some of the world’s biggest firms, creating jobs and enjoying more growth and prosperity.”
Designed by Eric Parry Architects, One Chamberlain Square will be a curved, seven-storey building bounded by Centenary Way, Congreve Street and Chamberlain Square combining 172,000 sq ft of offices, including a large roof terrace with restaurant and retail uses on the ground floor.
The adjacent seven-storey Two Chamberlain Square has been designed by Glenn Howells Architects, which oversaw the masterplanning for the full Paradise development. The building will complement the historic setting, with a five-storey portico fronting onto Chamberlain Square and stepping back at the sixth floor with a roof terrace. Ground and upper ground levels will again offer space for restaurant and retail uses.
When complete, Paradise will comprise offices, shops, cafes, restaurants and a hotel in as many as 10 buildings. The scheme is a private-public joint venture with Birmingham council, with the private sector funding being managed by Hermes Investment Management with Argent acting as development manager. Enabling and infrastructure works are underway and have been funded via a £61m investment by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
Deloitte Real Estate is the planning consultant for phase one. Bilfinger GVA and CBRE are letting agents for One and Two Chamberlain Square.
