The Construction of South Central - April 2023

South Central tower is blossoming with the start of installation of its red terracotta (scalloped & smooth) facade.

Rising to 30-storeys and accommodating 166 new homes, the Bristol Street/Essex Street building forms a striking new arrival into the city centre.

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Images from Stephen Giles.

Be sure to follow South Central HERE with us.

Facade Changes at 'net zero' Smallbrook Queensway

Smallbrook Queensway is to be reimagined with a highly sustainable 'net zero' development of up to 1,750 new homes, in three builds ranging from 44, 48 and 56-storeys.

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Brought forward by CEG on behalf of Dooba Investments II Ltd, hybrid plans (full & outline) were lodged in November '22 to fully redevelop and inject new life into a vital part of the city centre.

The development aims to reinvent and reconnect the site back with the city, through all-electric energy-efficient homes, and unlocking disconnected areas with vibrant new street uses, offering a more aesthetic environment.

Each phase promises an all-electric energy strategy, with minimised energy use and heat loss, air source heat pumps and PV cells.

Plans also include a new public realm, one that will help to green the city core and initiate new ties with the New Street area, Chinese Quarter, Gay Village, and Smithfield.

Should works commence, it is expected that other tired sites will be brought forward in the surrounding areas, further enriching Southside - and the wider city.

PHASE ONE + BEFORE AND AFTER CGIs.

Full detailed plans include a 151m build-to-rent tower of 48 storeys (closest to Bullring), comprising c. 571 new homes. They will be sat above a selection of retail, commercial and leisure uses.

A delivery partner and investors are already on board to deliver these plans.

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PHASES TWO & THREE

Full detailed plans for the 48-storey in phase 1 & the outline 44-storey both adhere to the same design code, whereas the 56-storey is seen as a pinnacle and is slightly different. Both builds aim to deliver an additional 1,000-plus homes, catering for every lifestyle.

Phasing is flexible both in order and timing. Interestingly, the 44-storey (SBQ1) is in (early) talks with a prospective delivery partner - designs could change moving forward.

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THE EXISTING SITE

In stark contrast to these plans, the existing Ringway Centre is reaching the end of its expected design life. It is widely seen as a relic of the failures of post-war modernism which created a car-dominated dystopia.

It continues to act as a physical blockade between two emerging parts of the city, hindering progress for a comprehensive and fully integrated Southside and New Street.

RETROFITTING

With retrofitting costly, and as a result, unviable, as well as carrying its own carbon footprint, the reality is that the Ringway Centre will never be able to attract and accommodate anything at full capacity again, with occupiers looking elsewhere for their modern-day requirements.

The possibility of upward extensions to the existing site has also been deemed unfeasible as it would not be able to provide a sufficient load-bearing capacity.

HISTORIC ENGLAND

Historic England, acting as the government’s expert advisor on heritage, assessed the existing buildings – in 2016 and 2022 – and deemed the buildings were not of sufficient architectural or historic interest to merit listing. They have since granted its immunity for five years. 

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Image from Daniel Sturley; CGIs from Corstorphine+Wright.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for up to date developments.

A new 'Neighbourhood' for the Jewellery Quarter

A £140m residential scheme is coming to the Jewellery Quarter after developer HBD recently secured planning for the project.

They will transform two parcels of land formerly occupied by the Sytner car garage on Camden Street.

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Known as Neighbourhood, the 414-home development will be spread across five new buildings – and styles – providing an array of one-, two- & three-bedroom apartments to cater to every lifestyle.

BPN Architects has designed each building to acknowledge its location within an all-important conservation area, as well as facing onto the city fringes.

Builds will start at three storeys within the Jewellery Quarter, before rising up to nine storeys facing onto the city.

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Both residents and visitors will be able to take advantage of new public spaces and a bustling mixture of independent bars and eateries.

There will be four commercial units (568 sqm) – three within the publicly accessible courtyard, with the other fronting Newhall Hill – along with a new public realm.

A host of resident amenities include an on-site concierge, private gardens, five roof terraces, lounges, a gym, 320 bicycle spaces, and WFH areas within a double-height winter garden.

Neighbourhood is HBD’s second high-profile Birmingham project, with Setl, also within the Jewellery Quarter, making great progress on Ludgate Hill.

HBD expects work to start on site early next year, with completion sometime in 2026.

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Neighbourhood, images from HBD & BPN Architects.

PIC AND COURT COLLABORATION BREAK GROUND AT ONE EASTSIDE

We were invited by Court Collaboration to their ceremonial groundbreaking event held yesterday at One Eastside, a landmark 51- and 15-storey set to deliver 667 new homes.

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Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds and Court Collaboration, a leading UK property developer, officially broke ground on the 51-storey One Eastside build-to-rent development in the city yesterday (23 March).

The event, also attended by Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward, marks a significant milestone for the exciting project which PIC has forward funded with a £200 million investment and which will be one of Birmingham’s first skyscrapers.

One Eastside will comprise 667 high-quality new homes for rent. The development will also feature a top-class co-working space and amenities for residents such as a landscaped garden, cinema room, sky lounge and gym.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, Hayley Rees, Managing Director of PIC Capital, and Alex Neale, Managing Director of Court Collaboration, both emphasised their commitment to providing quality, innovative and sustainable BTR schemes in the region, as well as their strong ESG credentials.

One Eastside will create over 300 new jobs, as well as provide opportunities for hundreds of local students. Work placements, on-site courses and experience, will be provided at One Eastside part of Court Collaboration and PIC’s joint commitment to supporting future talent in the city and the next generation of professionals.

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Hayley Rees, Managing Director of PIC Capital, at PIC said: “With this, our fourth Build to Rent scheme, PIC is firmly establishing itself as a significant and purposeful investor across the UK’s infrastructure and housing footprint.

“With 667 new apartments being developed here in Birmingham we will be helping to grow a thriving community while contributing positively to the local economy, including creating hundreds of new job opportunities and supporting the training of local students. The development will provide long-term, secure cashflows underpinning our policyholders’ pension payments for many years to come.

“We look forward to our continuing partnership with highly experienced developer, Court Collaboration, on this best-in-class scheme and remain actively engaged on a number of similar opportunities across the UK.”

Alex Neale, Managing Director of Court Collaboration commented: "We are delighted to have broken ground on our truly ambitious and exciting One Eastside development today, and it’s an honour to welcome the Leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, to help us celebrate. This project is a reflection of our and our council’s commitment to help drive this city forward, creating wonderful, sustainable new places and spaces, and the homes for the next generation. Thanks also to Pension Insurance Corporation and other guests who have joined us today to mark this special occasion.”

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One Eastside is targeting a 2026 completion. Keep watching our social media channels for more.

Approval for the BBC's Move Into Digbeth

Proposals for the BBC's new home at Typhoo Wharf in Digbeth, which will house several of the organisation's editorial teams, has been unaminously approved!

The building will now become an 84K SF, custom-built broadcast centre.

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The 1929-built landmark, famous for its production of Typhoo Tea, will become one of Birmingham’s first net zero carbon in construction office buildings, and is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ rating and an energy performance certificate (EPC) of ‘A’.

To kick start works, part of the building will see partial demolition (below in red) and the full removal of boiler house, in addition to the removal of its existing roof and bridge links.

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The building will then be conserved and will house several BBC editorial teams, including The Archers, BBC Newsbeat, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today.

The BBC will move out of their existing Mailbox home in late 2025, early 2026, when their lease ends, before making the short move into Digbeth.

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The move presents a golden opportunity to catalyse on reinvigorating the wider area and kick-starting investment in the area’s built environment and transport connections.

Stoford is working with the landowners, The Gooch Estate, with Glenn Howells Architects, Grant Associates, Turley and several public sector partners to complete the project and to prepare a vision for the wider area over the next decade.

This vision (below) includes the delivery of up to 800K SF of new residential, office and hospitality accommodation directly around the BBC and the adjoining canal basin.

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THE VISION

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PARTNERS: Stoford, Benacre 2022 LLP (The Gooch Estate)
ARCHITECTS: Glenn Howells Architects, Grant Associates
QS, PM: Arcadis
PRINCIPAL DESIGNER: Anstey Home
CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: BWB
M&E, SUSTAINABILITY: ESC
CONTRACTOR: TBC
AIR QUALITY, TRANSPORT: BWB
FIRE CONSULTANT: Jensen Hughes
AGENT: Savills & Wallis Real Estate
PLANNING CONSULTANT: Turley
PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBER: 2022/08628/PA

Typhoo Wharf, images from Glenn Howells Architects & BBC.