A Madin marvel Go-ahead for wrecking ball
attempt, initiated by Dr David Ashford, was made to honour the work of local architect John Madin by having a conservation order issued.
Madin was responsible for many designs around Birmingham, a number of which featured tower blocks.
Among his designs were the BBC Pebble Mill Studios, the Birmingham Central Library and the Birmingham Post & Mail offices, all now demolished.
Moseley-born Madin changed the face of post-war Birmingham, but his designs divided the city.
His Central Library was dubbed a “concrete monstrosity” by the late Clive Dutton, the city’s one-time director of planning and regeneration. In fact, Madin’s original plans showed the building clad in marble, but financial restraints prevented that from happening.
The building has the new DEMOLITION and highway work at the ten-acre site is set to be completed in September, says the company behind the scheme, Shirley Advance.
Spokesman Robert Birch said in March: “A number of technical and legal issues have caused delays, but I’m pleased to say that we’re now gearing up to start the demolition and other enabling works over the next few weeks.”
Shirley Advance has been working with Solihull Council and Asda on the major development, which will have an “end value” of £75 million. The blueprint includes: An ExtraCare village for the over 55s with 261 apartments, 60 per cent of which will be offered on an “affordable” basis.
A total of 113 new homes to be built by Lioncourt Homes with a mix of two-bed apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.
A five-pump ASDA Petrol Filling Station with convenience kiosk.
Associated car parking and highway works.