A year of true milestones
By Ross Fittall, Commercial Director at Paradise Birmingham developer, MEPC
If we thought 2022 was a busy year for Paradise, then 2023 got even busier!
Straight away in January, plans were brought forward to start on site with our next buildings, while progress on our world-first residential building, Octagon, which began in early 2022, really took off, with the main structure of the 49 storey tower reaching half-way by the autumn of 2023.
In February, we published a ‘return to the office’ blog from our old friend Thomas Attwood, while love was in the air in the shape of our annual Valentine’s Day events!
One Centenary Way topped out on a cold, but clear day in March, while the opportunities around MIPIM to drive change in the sector were also discussed. On top of that, the Easter Bunny paid us a visit as well!
During April JLL announced that it would join the twenty other commercial occupiers across Paradise by taking office space at One Centenary Way. The global real estate company signed up to just over half a floor, or 14,000 sq ft, of space on the fourth floor of this new building for its 150 Birmingham-based staff.
In May we helped the city celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen, while we also saw the start on site of Three Chamberlain Square, which was quickly awarded a BREEAM Outstanding rating at design stage.
June followed with another occupier announcement. This time, it was Cubo expanding at Two Chamberlain Square that was in the news. By taking another half a floor in addition to its existing full floor, the independent serviced office provider proved the value of the co-working model and its on-going appeal for companies both large and small.
Come July, work on One Centenary Way was completed with its black steel exoskeleton visible on the city’s skyline from miles around. Also, the interactive, family-orientated Paradise Trail was launched and Paradise Live brought people into Chamberlain Square with fun events and live entertainment.
Our ‘Build It in a Day’ event at the National Brownfield Institute at the University of Wolverhampton was a unique opportunity for the team delivering Three Chamberlain Square to get to grips with some of the sustainability issues before the building is delivered.
August was a busy month for all, with even more Paradise Live events during the school summer holidays bringing families and visitors into the renewed but historic square at the very heart of the city – Chamberlain Square.
From ice cream and cold drink give-aways to comedy shows, circus acts, bubble-ology and music, there really was something for everyone, and thousands enjoyed the free entertainment as well as the free treats.
September saw more visits to the Paradise beehives and herb gardens on the northern part of the site. These features are not just supporting biodiversity for the city and promoting wellbeing for those who work here, it’s also a great team-building opportunity for our occupiers’ staff to get involved in. This is especially true during the extraction process in the autumn when hundreds of jars of Paradise honey are given away to stakeholders, schools and local charities.
Come October, we officially launched One Centenary Way with an event in the building to show off all the building has to offer, including its original artwork by local artist Betsy Bradley. With more than 100 local stakeholders, occupiers, partners and contractors along, the building’s launch ensured a real celebration for everyone who has contributed to it. It was a great milestone in the story of this very special building.
We also held our regular pumpkin carving competition for occupiers that saw dozens of entries – but there could only be three winners! Meanwhile, our Lunch and Learn events continued to attract record numbers of participants, learning new skills as well as networking.
In November, Paradise marked Remembrance Day as it does every year, while a regional first arrived in the shape of new global leisure operator F1® Arcade, at Two Chamberlain Square. The concept offers a totally immersive and interactive racing arcade, bar and restaurant experience, and occupies one of the largest spaces yet for a leisure unit on the estate.
An instant hit with local visitors, social influencers and sports fans from across the city, F1® Arcade has also created 70 jobs and is all set to become a regular favourite on the city’s social scene. And the food and drinks are totally top gear too!
November also saw the latest office occupier, law firm Mills & Reeve, take space at One Centenary Way, agreeing to a new 32,000 sq ft space on the fourth and fifth floors for their 300 staff, while in December Arup made a big splash locally and regionally by moving into their stunning new 68,000 sq ft space on the ground and first three upper floors of the same building.
Bringing more than 800 colleagues with them, Arup was attracted to a building with its own unique engineering-led design – one they helped bring to fruition. We also showcased the special fit out of Arup’s space with its highly sustainable features and unique fittings like lambswool insulation, recycled office furniture and a solid timber internal staircase between all floors. The work on the space has also taken on board differing needs and promotes neuro diversity across the Arup workforce.
Finally, we also celebrated Christmas throughout December with a wide range of free events. With such a busy and fulfilling year for Paradise in 2023, we can’t wait to keep going and take the work to the next level in 2024. Bring it on!