Your Place Your Space

Construction & regeneration
16 Mar 2023 - Stephen Giles

News & Updates

Drumming for Brum: Approval for 200K SF Hub

Approval has been given for 'Drum', a unique new workspace and amenity destination, which will inhabit the space once home to John Lewis at Grand Central.

Drumming for Brum: Approval for 200K SF Hub

Approval has been given for 'Drum', a unique new workspace and amenity destination, which will inhabit the space once home to John Lewis at Grand Central.

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The vacant former John Lewis store, currently being stripped back awaiting its exciting new use, is to become Drum: a workspace and amenity destination catering for up to 2,000 people.

Plans have been given unaminous approval to proceed, with work set to get fully underway later this year, with a 2025 completion penciled in.

Enlivening a key gateway site, built on the principles of connectivity, amenities, and sustainability, the rethink is part of Hammerson’s strategy to reinvigorate its prime urban estates through new diversifying uses – and Drum fits that bill to aplomb.

The building will bring 160K SF & a new type of workspace to the city that meet the requirements for established and start-up businesses post-pandemic.

Designed by Birmingham-born Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects, all four floors will be transformed to facilitate a sweeping, open, communal entrance that widens as it rises.

This will be topped off by an external rooftop garden lounge, with internal green walls on each level giving the appearance of a garden spilling back down through the building.

Its ground floor will be repurposed to become a vibrant destination; one that complements Grand Central, whilst adding a combined hospitality space with restaurant, bar and food market.

There will be a grocery, gym, wellbeing amenities, and around 19K SF of flexible spaces which could potentially see the introduction of a new cinema, live music venue, theatre, VR, gallery and exhibition space, plus bars and drinking establishments.

The refurbishment will come with higher sustainable construction specs, as well as introducing low/ zero carbon energy production and efficient M&E.

Drum was approved unanimously.

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Drum Grand Central, images from Make Architects and Macgregor Smith.

Map of site.

20 passion points

Construction & regeneration
13 Mar 2023 - Stephen Giles

News & Updates

Drumming for Brum: 200K SF Hub Set for Approval

It’s a big week for Birmingham’s Grand Central, with Drum, a new workspace and amenity destination earmarked for approval on Thursday.

Drumming for Brum: 200K SF Hub Set for Approval

It’s a big week for Birmingham’s Grand Central, with Drum, a new workspace and amenity destination earmarked for approval on Thursday.

Enlivening the key gateway site, built on the principles of connectivity, amenities, and sustainability, the rethink is part of Hammerson’s strategy to reinvigorate its prime urban estates through new diversyfying uses while maximising the reuse of embodied carbon.

Drum will bring 160K SF & a new type of workspace to the city that meet the requirements for established and start-up businesses post-pandemic.

Designed by Birmingham-born Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects, all four floors will be transformed to facilitate a sweeping, open, communal entrance that widens as it rises.

This will lead to a newly created rooftop garden lounge and workplace garden, with internal green walls on each level giving the appearance of a garden spilling back down through the building.

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Drum%20CGI%2019.jpg" />

Its ground floor will also be repurposed to become an amenity destination – one that complements Grand Central, whilst adding a combined hospitality space with restaurant, bar and food market.

Plans will also see a grocery, gym, wellbeing amenities, and around 19K SF of flexible spaces which could see the introduction of a cinema, live music venue, theatre, VR, gallery and exhibition space, plus bars and drinking establishments.

The proposal refurbishes the building with higher sustainable construction specifications, introducing low/zero carbon energy production and efficient M&E.

Subject to consent, work is expected to begin later in the year, with completion set for 2025.