New future for landmark Axis building in city centre unveiled
NEW designs have been unveiled to replace a landmark Birmingham city centre building with a new mixed-use development.
London-based property developer and land owner London and Continential Railways (LCR) unveiled its initial proposals in September to carry out a wholesale regeneration of the ten-storey Axis building and its car park next to the Mailbox.
New plans have now been lodged with Birmingham City Council to build a nine-storey office block.
Once this has been finished, the incumbent 1970s building can be demolished to allow Axis tenants to stay in situ, with some expected to move into the new facility.
This will contain 212,000 q ft of office space and 2,300 sq ft of ground floor retail units along with basement car and motorcycle parking, public realm and landscaping, changing facilities and secure space for 200 bikes.
New vehicular access to the site from Holliday Street will also be installed as part of the redevelopment.
Called ‘One Axis Square’, it is the first phase of a larger redevelopment of the site which will also include a new public square and further office and commercial space.
LCR is wholly owned by the Department for Transport and specialises in the management, development and disposal of property assets.
It has previously worked on the regeneration of King’s Cross and the Stratford International Quarter in London. Its wider plans for the Axis site include three further buildings and enhanced public realm on the remainder of the site, with a planning application for this work due to be submitted early next year. As well as overlooking Arena Central, the development site sits in a prime city centre location and counts Paradise, Grand Central and New Street station all within a short walking distance.