Public exhibition to show latest proposals

Detailed plans for the next office building to be constructed as part of the transformational £700m Paradise Birmingham development are to be displayed at a public exhibition next month.

With work on the first two buildings (One and Two Chamberlain Square) and enhancement of Chamberlain Square well underway, proposals for One Centenary Way overlooking Centenary Square have now been prepared and will be presented to the public on the 7thFloor of 77 Paradise Circus between 8am and 8pm on Tuesday 5thSeptember.

The exhibition will present the detailed proposals for the new circa 290,000 sq ft office building, designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects. With space for shops and restaurants at ground and upper ground level, the new building will overlook the redesigned Centenary Square and open onto Centenary Way, the wide pedestrian boulevard that will link Chamberlain and Centenary Squares.

Open to anybody living and working in the area, the exhibition will enable local businesses, residents and other interested parties to view the proposals and ask questions of the project team prior to submission of the detailed planning application in late 2017.

Argent, Development Manager for the scheme, is preparing to submit the planning application for One Centenary Way on behalf of Hermes Investment Management, the £30.1 billion manager.

Chris Taylor, Head of Private Markets at Hermes Investment Management, said:

Since work began on the first phase of the development in January 2015, we have seen excellent progress, with PwC already secured for the first building, work well under way on the second and plans for the third now being presented. The dramatic enhancements to the accessibility and quality of environment within the city centre will now enable Birmingham to regain its status as a global city of enterprise and talent.”

Rob Groves, Regional Director at Argent, commented:

“There is significant momentum behind the Paradise scheme and this exhibition will highlight the detailed design of the next building in this transformational development. One Centenary Way will be one of the city’s most prominent buildings, overlooking the new upgraded Centenary Square and forming a landmark entrance to the Paradise development.  I would encourage anybody who lives, works or visits the area regularly to come along and see the plans for themselves.”

The proposed design incorporates three metre wide horizontal windows, encased within an exposed darker structural steel façade. The design reflects the industrial heritage of the city, yet contrasts and complements the architectural details of One and Two Chamberlain Square.

The building has been designed by award winning Glenn Howells Architects, who are also masterplanners for the Paradise development.

Director Dav Bansal said:

“The complexities of the Paradise site – situated in the heart of the city, surrounded by historic listed buildings and spanning over the A38 tunnels – demands a creative, innovative and structural-led architectural solution. We believe that the design approach for One Centenary Way is both elegant and articulate; creating a striking structural landmark to bookend Centenary Square and deliver the next generation of open, flexible and bright working space.”

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