Plan for city quarter welcomed
30-storey tower will herald wider development
MORE images have emerged of plans for the tallest office tower in Birmingham after the ambitious vision was widely welcomed.
Artist’s impressions of the 30-storey tower, planned as part of the Beorma Quarter development opposite Selfridges in Digbeth, reveal a dramatic change to the city’s skyline.
The images, drawn up by Broadway Malyan, show how the tower will stand tall over the Bullring, St Martin’s Church and the forthcoming Birmingham Smithfield scheme.
The Post revealed last week that the long-awaited proposals for the next phase of the Beorma Quarter scheme in Digbeth had been submitted to Birmingham City Council after long delays.
The tower, proposed by Kuwaitbased property group Salhia Investments, is set to become the third tallest building in Birmingham after the BT Tower and Radisson Blu hotel.
Readers on the Birmingham Post’s website generally welcomed the move though some had doubts.
A Jones said: “Birmingham needs world class office buildings, Alpha Tower is ancient and only 26 sto- reys there has to be newer bigger better options to attract business.”
Feddie said: “Tremendous news! Now wait for the conservation fanatics to wring their hands in dismay and attempt to reduce the height to 14 storeys.”
Joynal Abdin joked: “Won’t happen, overshadows the Christopher Wray building half a mile away.”
Zola Lloyd added: “I sense déjà vu. So won’t get too excited until they finally break ground!”
However, Philip Meers said: “Frankly, I don’t think that this goes far enough. The CGI of the 30 storey is great, but the 14 and 10 storey blocks look mean in comparison.
“I would have gone for a 20-storey and 16-storey to make a more dramatic skyline. Of course such ideas are pie in the sky as the coun- cil appears to have changed city’s motto to ‘Backward’.”
The 30-storey tower will see office and residential accommodation if permission is granted.
It marks a major return for one of the most recession-dogged schemes in the city after previous plans were drawn up for a 27-storey building.
The whole quarter has been valued at between £150 million and £200 million but has suffered a troubled journey as challenging market conditions and the complex nature of the site meant it was hit by long delays.
Work was due to start in 2009 before coming to the table again in 2010 and 2012, after the planning permission was renewed following a land grab dispute.
The proposals also include the refurbishment of the locally listed 135-136 Digbeth and 137 Digbeth, which will be converted into retail space.
It is also planned to retain the main Digbeth street façade of the locally listed 138-139 Digbeth.
Phase three will then see two more towers built, of ten and 14 storeys respectively, which will front onto Well Lane and also contain a mix of retail, residential and office space.
Finally, four separate ‘live/work’ units would be built between these two towers.
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