Shape of things to come

A US hotel group has chose a historic Birmingham’s landmark buildings to be the location of its first investment in Europe.

Dream Hotels, which runs venues in the Amercia and Asia, has signed up to open a new 147-bedroom hotel in the old Methodist Central Hall, Corporation Street.

It will form the centrepiece of what will be a massive regeneration of one of Birmingham’s most neglected yet beautiful buildings.

London-based property investor Ciel Capital acquired the hall in May and is planning a renovation of the grade II*-listed building worth at least £35 million.

Alongside the new hotel, there will be a 75-bedroom ‘apart-hotel’, to be operated by Ciel Capital’s sister company Stow-Away, a rooftop bar and restaurant and the retention of existing ground floor units for use as retail, offices or café space.

The building’s iconic hall will be opened up for public access and used as a ‘gastro hall’ with a show kitchen.

There will also be a mezzanine bar featuring the original organ, which will be restored.

Externally, its detailed terracotta façades will also be cleaned and damaged tiles repaired.

Ciel Capital is working with local music, community and heritage groups to explore ways to commemorate the building’s past uses including as a music venue which played host to acts like David Bowie and Pulp.