Development manager Argent, acting on behalf of Hermes Investment Management, has submitted three detailed planning applications to Birmingham City Council which are set to transform the city centre.
Phase one will see the creation of two new buildings, which combined will introduce more than 350,000 sq ft of speculative office space to the Birmingham market, along with significant improvements to the surrounding public realm in the heart of the city centre.
One Chamberlain Square, a seven-storey building designed by Eric Parry Architects, will provide 172,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, along with ground floor restaurant or leisure space. The building will feature an elegant curved facade and a large roof terrace at the sixth floor level.
Two Chamberlain Square, another seven-storey building, will provide 182,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, with both the ground and top floors earmarked for retail and leisure use.
Designers at Glenn Howells Architects have included an elegant five-storey portico fronting onto Chamberlain Square in a contemporary interpretation of the new building’s historic setting. This then steps back from the sixth floor with a roof terrace.
The third proposal covers improvements to the public realm which include a wide pedestrian street through the centre of the development, linking the upgraded Chamberlain Square to Centenary Square.
“These submissions are an important milestone for the Paradise redevelopment,” says Argent’s senior projects director, Rob Groves.
“We have been working together with the design teams, stakeholders and the Planners to ensure that the modern architectural language for the buildings complements the sensitive heritage setting and Chamberlain Square itself, creating great public realm and public space whilst also providing the very best office space.
“We believe that our proposals will deliver two exceptional buildings in a remarkable setting to set the scene for the transformation of the heart of the city.”
In total, Paradise will bring together 1.8 million sq ftof retail, office, leisure and hotel space in up to 10 new buildings surrounding Chamberlain Square. Phase one is expected to be completed by early 2019.
Hermes Real Estate chief executive officer, Chris Taylor, adds; “We strongly believe that Paradise is a truly ground-breaking scheme that will attract national and international investment, jobs and visitors to Birmingham.
“It is situated in one of the city’s commanding locations and this is superbly addressed by the building designs and public realm included in our applications.”
