500,000 sq ft office scheme planned for central Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM City Council has joined forces with Sterling Property Ventures (SPV) in an attempt to bring forward a major office scheme within the city’s Enterprise Zone.
The council and SPV – run by well-known local property developer James Howarth – have entered into a joint venture partnership for the delivery of up to 500,000 sq ft of office accommodation and other complementary mixed uses on the Great Charles Street site in Birmingham’s business district.
The scheme, which will be known as Great Charles Square, fronts the A38 inner ring road, adjacent to Snow Hill station.
The site, currently used as an overland car park, was at one stage earmarked as a possible location for the city’s coach station before a decision was taken to re-develop the existing Digbeth site.
Proposals for Great Charles Square currently comprise 500,000 sq ft of commercial space and associated retail and amenity uses, set in high quality public realm.
An outline planning application for the phased development will be submitted later this year which will also propose improved transport and pedestrian links.
The first phase of redevelopment will comprise a new 500 space multi-storey car park.
SPV’s Howarth said: “Subject to planning, the scheme is immediately deliverable and alongside other Enterprise Zone initiatives such as New Street Gateway, the Metro extension and Library of Birmingham, we hope to make a significant contribution to the growth plans outlined in both the Big City Plan and Enterprise Zone proposals.
“The development of Great Charles Square will create hundreds of jobs through the construction phase but the lasting legacy of the partnership with BCC will be the creation of high quality space and built environment which will accommodate over 2,500 new jobs.
“The supply of high quality office accommodation in the city continues to diminish so the creation of new stock which can be delivered without significant infrastructure works – and which we can to bring to the market at a competitive rental level – will be excellent news for occupiers and investors alike.”
Architect PRC Group is appointed on the scheme and is working on proposals which will be presented as part of the planning consultation process.
Cllr Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, jobs and skills at Birmingham City Council, said: “Development on this site is long awaited and the confirmation of the JV partnership is an exciting step forward in the lifecycle of this project.”
