New city centre public square plan is unveiled
ALANDMARK Birmingham city centre building is set to be razed to make way for a major new office development and public square.
Axis, which was built in the 1970s and sits next to boutique shopping mall the Mailbox, will be demolished and replaced with a modern, ten-storey office block and public square fronting on to Holliday Street and the Arena Central project.
Under the new plans, LCR, the London-based property developer and land owner, says it wants to create a sustainable office scheme intended to transform the area and connect it up with surrounding developments.
The first phase will comprise the demolition of the existing, 1970s building and construction of the new office block with landscaping and car and cycle parking, to be called “One Axis Square”.
The long-term, wider development will include a new public square and more commercial buildings with leisure and retail 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 and is hosting a publication consultation next week on the Axis plans.
Development manager Nick Clough said: “Our proposals include a modern office building with wellness and sustainability at its core. We are keen to hear what people think of the plans at this stage and we will be engaging with existing tenants about the wider regeneration proposals as well. We look forward to seeing local people at the public exhibition.”
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.
It is the latest in a long line of office-based developments in Birmingham city centre which have seen either the regeneration of existing premises or the demolition and construction of brand new buildings.
Central Library is almost completely demolished now as part of the long-running, £500 million Paradise project which will see eight office buildings and a new hotel built on land around Chamberlain Square.
Demolition of 103 Colmore Row, better known as the Nat- West Tower, is also well under way with construction due to start next year on a 26-storey replacement containing grade A office space, restaurant and roof terrace.
The general public can have their say on the plans for Axis at two consultation exhibitions. They will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Holliday Street, from 2pm to 7pm on September 30 and 10am to 2pm on October 1.
A new website will also launch on September 30 at www.oneaxissquare.co.uk