Work officially begins on new i9 office complex in Wolverhampton
Multi-million pound building work is under way on the landmark i9 offices close to Wolverhampton's new-look railway station.
The £13m i9 is set in the heart of the Wolverhampton Interchange, which surrounds the city's train station which is being transformed in a major project.
And the development follows the i10 complex on the opposite side of Railway Drive featuring the Sunbeam pub and Superdrug along with offices.
It will provide up to 52,000 sq ft of office space, has potential for 5,600 sq ft of leisure space for restaurants.
It is scheduled to be completed in 2021 and could create around 300 jobs.
Wolverhampton Council cabinet member, Councillor Harman Banger, says the i9 development was key for the city's future ambitions.
"It is great news to see full works starting on the spectacular i9 building at heart of the city’s Interchange," he said.
"It is another step towards our aspirations of creating a commercial district in this area of the city.
"We want this building to become the design and quality benchmark for future developments in the city and to demonstrate our ambition for the city centre.
"This important site ideally lends itself to a distinctive, high-quality headquarters building.”
Wolverhampton Council and property developer, Ion, selected Glenn Howells Architects’ design for i9 as the winner from a strong field of ten UK leading architects and urban design practices.
The firm is behind the Paradise Birmingham scheme - one of the biggest city centre development projects in the UK.
Ion managing director, Steve Parry, added: "This marks a further milestone in the regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre.
"By creating a Grade A office building of the highest standard, it will enable Wolverhampton to compete with other major cities across the UK for the provision of workspace.
"Building upon the success of i10 and the transport links created by the Interchange, we anticipate that i9 will create further growth in the office sector, benefitting the city as a whole."
Developer GRAHAM will build the new offices.
GRAHAM regional director, Ronan Hughes, said: “Wolverhampton is undergoing a period of regeneration that is set to transform the city and attract further investment and jobs to the area.
"We are therefore pleased to have been appointed as the main contractor on i9 – a significant new building that benefits from a prime location and high-spec office facilities.
"We look forward to working with the wider project team to deliver this new, sustainable commercial development for the city."
