Work starts on next step of city’s Paradise project

CONSTRUCTION has started on the third building at Birmingham’s £700 million Paradise development.

After months of site preparation, contractor Sir Robert McAlpine is now on site and leading the 13-storey project which is due for completion in early 2023.

The building will contain 280,000 sq ft of office and shops alongside a cycle hub which will be available for use by all tenants of the Paradise scheme.

It will overlook the neighbouring Arena Central development, Library of Birmingham and revamped Centenary Square and be served by the new Town Hall stop on the extended Metro tram network.

The scheme is being managed by Argent and was designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects.

One Centenary Way is being developed on the site of the old Adrian Boult Hall conservatoire building and is the first element of phase two of Paradise which comprises another office building called Three Chamberlain Square and a 22-storey, 250-bedroom hotel to replace the neighbouring Copthorne Hotel.

There will also be new public realm called Ratcliff Square.

Phase one of Paradise includes new public realm and office blocks One and Two Chamberlain

Square, both of which are nearing completion, and will welcome financial services practice PwC and law firm DLA Piper as tenants.

Indian restaurant group Dishoom and wine bar Vinoteca are also taking space within the first two buildings.

Argent’s regional director Rob Groves said: “Since obtaining planning permission for One Centenary Way last year, we have been working hard behind the scenes to bring the building forward.

“The innovative design solution for One Centenary Way makes a strong statement and establishes a major new landmark for the city and we are confident of delivering a truly striking new building.

“The challenges of building above the A38 Queensway tunnels mean we needed a contractor with the right civil engineering expertise to get this stage of work moving. We are keen to now maintain momentum and move ahead with the second phase of Paradise.”

Simon Trevor, regional managing director at Sir Robert McAlpine, added: “Central to how we operate is to work very closely with developers and Paradise is no different.

“We are proud to be appointed to work on this major project in the centre of Birmingham that will create a real landmark for the city as part of one of the largest mixed-use developments in the UK.”