Green light for next stage of Paradise Birmingham

Another office building and a 250-bedroom hotel will also form part of the next stage of work on the £700 million transformation of the city centre.

City councillors have given planning permission for the 280,000 sq ft One Centenary Way building which will overlook a transformed Centenary Square.

Meanwhile construction firm BAM has just started work on Two Chamberlain Square while work is continuing on improvements to the public space in Chamberlain Square. Work on the nearly completed One Chamberlain Square building – to be the new regional headquarters of accountants PwC – is currently suspended after the collapse of builder Carillion.

Work on the newest building is expected to start later this year.

Designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects, One Centenary Way incorporates three-metre wide horizontal windows, encased within an exposed darker structural steel façade. The building will overlook the redesigned Centenary Square and will open out onto Centenary Way, the pedestrian boulevard linking Victoria, Chamberlain and Centenary Squares, offering large office floorplates of 22,500 sq ft and space for shops and restaurants at ground level.

One Centenary Way will be the first building developed as part of Phase Two of Paradise Birmingham. This next phase will also deliver a further office building, Three Chamberlain Square, along with a new 250-bedroom four-star hotel.

Argent, development manager for Paradise Birmingham, submitted the planning application for One Centenary Way on behalf of Hermes Investment Management, the £30.8 billion asset manager.

Rob Groves, regional director at Argent, said: “By working closely with Glenn Howells Architects and the wider professional delivery team, the innovative design solution for One Centenary Way has resulted in a striking, structural led building that makes a strong architectural statement.

“To maintain the momentum we have established through the development of the first two Paradise Birmingham buildings, we will be starting the site enabling works for One Centenary Way next month which will include further demolition and ground preparations. The building’s planned construction start will be later this year with completion during 2022.”

Chris Taylor, head of private markets at Hermes Investment Management, said: “Paradise Birmingham is already changing the face of the city and is fast becoming the premier commercial address. After the excellent progress made on the first two buildings, we are now looking ahead to Paradise Birmingham’s future. This next phase incorporates an outstanding building to front Centenary Square.

“The scheme represents an effective place making approach delivering a vibrant new destination at the very heart of Birmingham. One Centenary Way will, I am sure, become a noted city landmark and a gateway to the whole development.”

At 1.8 million square feet, Paradise Birmingham will deliver up to 10 new buildings, offering offices, shops, bars, cafés, restaurants and a four star hotel across 17 acres.

Birmingham Council leader, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “Paradise Birmingham is already generating an important boost to our local economy. It is providing not just cutting-edge space for occupiers, but also essential skills and jobs for people across the city, and remains a key marker of our on-going renaissance.

“As a central part of our wider regeneration vision for Birmingham, the scheme is becoming a destination in its own right and fulfilling its promise of joining up key parts of the city centre. This improved connectivity benefits everyone and helps us set the tone of what we are looking for in major regeneration schemes going forward.”