Sterling Property Ventures and Rockspring have resubmitted a planning application for the demolition of Birmingham’s NatWest Tower and its replacement with a 26-storey office block.
In March council planners deferred the application, saying they needed reassurance that the plans for the new scheme would be formally submitted before giving the go-ahead for the demolition of the 1970s Colmore Row tower.
This was a setback for Sterling and Rockspring, who had hoped to commence work on the demolition, which is expected to take between 10 and 12 months. At the time the partners expressed their disappointment but pledged to work with Birmingham City Council to overcome their concerns, before resubmitting the plans, which they have now done.
The proposed steel, aluminium and glass building will stand 336 ft tall and provide a total of 211,000 sq ft of commercial space. The majority (196,000 sq ft) has been earmarked for office use arranged over 19 floors. The remaining 15,000 sq ft has been allocated for leisure use, including a top-floor restaurant along with a street level ‘winter garden’ and café.
103 Colmore Row is one of the most anticipated developments in Birmingham’s business district for many years and James Howarth, Managing Director of Sterling Property Ventures, believes that it will be a landmark building.
“103 will not just be another elitist commercial building; we are keen that it becomes a destination for the people of Birmingham, “he said. “The winter garden and skyline restaurant means it will be accessible to all.”
Eric Linden, European Director, at Rockspring, commented: “In the past year Birmingham has won a number of inward investment deals which have reduced the Grade A office supply.
“103 Colmore Row will be a top quality space and will allow the city to continue to build on the current momentum which is seeing major international corporate occupiers selecting Birmingham as a base for operations.”
If the resubmitted application is given the go-ahead the demolition will begin straight away, with the new building expected to be completed in 2018.
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