Developer hoping to fast-track 200,000 sq ft NatWest Tower site scheme

AS expected, the new owners of 103 Colmore Row in Birmingham city centre have applied to the council for permission to begin demolishing the 1970s office block.

And they are hoping to receive permission to start knocking it down in March to expedite the speculative development of a new 200,000 sq ft office building.

Developer Sterling Property Ventures and funders Rockspring acquired the central business district’s tallest office building – formerly the NatWest Tower – from British Land in November. The building has been vacant since 2003.

Its site, on the corner of Colmore Row and Newhall Street, has planning permission for a 35-storey tower. However, Sterling and Rockspring are currently revising these plans. A smaller scale development, similar in size to the existing structure, is being drawn up.

The piece by piece dismantling of the 22-storey concrete paneled tower will take between ten and 12 months.

Sterling and Rockspring wish to start on site in March, with the aim of securing permission for the revised design and procuring its build whilst the site is being cleared.

They say no permanent road closures will be required as the demolition contractors would work within the constraints of the existing site.

James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, said: “There is an urgent need for the early delivery of a high quality office space in the city centre enterprise zone, given that much of Birmingham’s Grade A space has been let and demand from occupiers is increasing.

“103 Colmore Row sits on a prominent site along Birmingham’s best business address, yet it has become the poster boy for the city’s lack of speculative development.

“We acquired the site at the end of last year with the intention of being the first new office build to be delivered in Birmingham’s central business district since Two Snowhill.

“If we are able to commence demolition work while the new building is designed, approved and contracted, it’s entirely feasible that Birmingham will have a new Grade A office tower, comprising more than 200,000 sq ft, by the end of 2017.”

As required by Birmingham City Council, Sterling and Rockspring have also submitted plans for the interim landscaping of the site, in the event that there is a delay in starting the new build.

But Howarth said: “This is very much a plan B. Our intention is to crack on with this exciting scheme at the very earliest opportunity.

“This development is not contingent upon a pre-let. We have both the funds and the confidence to build speculatively.”

Doone Silver Architects is working on the revised design, in dialogue with Birmingham City Council’s planning, design and transport teams.

Following further stakeholder consultation, it is intended that a full planning application will be made in April.