New look planned for Rackham's site
Proposals for transformation of the former Rackham’s buildings to make best use of its outstanding location and space, are being prepared for submission to Birmingham City Council by owners Legal & General.
Meetings are currently being held with a range of local stakeholders while, as part of a wider public consultation, an online comment form can be completed and forwarded for consideration.
The Rackham’s buildings, located between Temple Row and Corporation Street in Birmingham city centre, have been under the ownership of Legal & General since 2014.
Legal & General had been in discussions about a reformatted store with the former owners of House of Fraser since its acquisition and, after House of Fraser entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement in the summer, reached agreement with Sports Direct to allow the business to continue operating from the premises on a short term basis.
The proposals respond to changing patterns in retailing and strong demand for Grade A office space.
Sensitive refurbishment proposals have been designed by T P Bennett who were architects of the original Rackham’s building.
Plans include nine floors of Grade A offices and a new ‘boutique’ hotel on the corner of Cherry Street and Temple Row. There will also be a range of stylish bars, restaurants, coffee houses and retail space on the ground and lower ground floors, a west-facing terrace on the seventh floor and - with magnificent views over St. Philip’s Square - the city’s largest rooftop terrace and a restaurant.
