Always looking ahead
By Chris Taylor, Chair of MEPC
The history of Paradise Birmingham has been one of constant work behind the scenes in order to get us to where we are now.
The commitment and co-operation between the funders, the developer, the professional team, city council and the LEP has always been faultless.
But this unrelenting pace is still only just the beginning.
As we now look to complete the second phase of development, which along with Octagon will bring us up to six new buildings in total, we are still only half way through the life of this project.
And as much as we are having a positive impact on the city’s skyline, we are also helping the economy of the city. As well as providing the space for office occupiers to grow and innovate, we’re bringing more people and more life back into the centre of the city.
We’ve definitely started that process. But our next task is to concentrate and accelerate our efforts in bringing forward the rest of the scheme.
In other words, finishing the job we started.
Paradise has always been, and will continue to be, an exemplary platform for the city and the wider region and an engine for growth, employment and investment.
We’ve always been about creating change not for its own sake, but in order to help everyone across the city access the jobs, skills and opportunities they deserve.
When I look back at how far we’ve come over the past decade, I’m always inspired by the energy and life of Birmingham itself. And that belief in the city and its people continues to inspire me and the rest of the team today.
Now, we want to turbo charge our efforts. Under the MEPC banner, the Paradise team is even better placed than before to make this new piece of the city a reality, with more new squares, amenities and places for people to hang out as well as work and live.
When you take in the new Chamberlain Square and see people here on their lunch breaks and in the evenings, it gladdens the heart. But this is still just the first phase. As we complete the second phase over the next few years and then move onto the third and final phase, I want everyone involved in the project to keep that bit of inspiration and bit of pride alive.
This really is a project like no other, either in Birmingham or across the UK. Lots of people talk of projects being game changers, or transformational. But I’ve never seen anything as transformational as Paradise.
We are lucky to be helping Birmingham on its way to a stronger economic future where its people have the roles, opportunities and lifestyles they deserve. A more resilient future in a more beautiful, functional, sustainable and connected city.
A place really like no other and a place we can all be proud to be a part of.