Birmingham’s brutalist Ringway Centre, described as an outstanding example of the city’s post-war “carchitecture”, will be demolished and replaced with three residential towers.
Councillors voted by seven to six in favour of replacing the Smallbrook Queensway buildings in the city centre with Commercial Estates Group’s scheme of three glass tower blocks, of 44, 48 and 56 storeys high. The scheme, designed by Corstorphine & Wright, will provide up to 1,750 flats and 76,000 sq ft of commercial and leisure space, and three new public spaces.
James Shimwell, head of residential development at CEG, said: “Our proposals will transform the gateway to Southside – creating safer public places and drastically improving the connectivity with pedestrian links between New Street station, Digbeth and Smithfield. Ground-floor amenities and new public spaces will benefit residents, visitors and local businesses.”
He added: ““This decision enables significant investment into Birmingham. It will deliver 1,750 much-needed new homes in a sustainable city centre location.”
The Ringway Centre, built in 1962 and designed by Rotunda-architect James Roberts, curves along Smallbrook Queensway and comprises four storeys of offices above a shopping parade. Parts of the building are currently derelict. Birmingham City Council described it as an “underutilised brownfield site”.
However, the existing buildings have their fans, including campaigners from the Twentieth Century Society and Brutiful Birmingham, who are looking to overturn the decision.
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