Contractor announced for first phase of Paradise

WOLVERHAMPTON construction giant Carillion has been appointed to build the first phase of the new Paradise development in Birmingham.

The Eric Parry-designed One Chamberlain Square is the lynchpin of the new multi-million-pound development and the building is set to become the new home of PwC in Birmingham. The business advisor will be occupying 90,000 sq ft on the top four and a half floors of the building.

Carillion’s appointment was confirmed today by project manager Argent, acting on behalf of Hermes Investment Management, the £24.1bn fund manager, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

The seven-storey building will front both Chamberlain Square and the proposed Congreve Square. Using a variety of materials to complement the surrounding listed architecture in the area, the 172,000 sq ft building will boast a large roof terrace on the sixth floor offering spectacular views across the city, while restaurants and retail units will sit at ground level.  PwC will be relocating its 1,400 strong Birmingham team to the top four and half floors in early 2019.

Chris Taylor, head of private Markets at Hermes Investment Management, said: “As part of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone, Paradise is delivering the next generation of office space for Birmingham as well as protecting and enhancing the cultural heart of the city.

“The significant investment being made in Paradise is a testament to the region’s increasing competitive profile in the international marketplace and the growing demand of businesses looking to relocate to the region.

“We are confident Carillion will be able to deliver as they have prior knowledge of the complexities of the development, having been working on site since January 2015.”

Rob Groves, regional director of Argent, said Carillion had been making good progress preparing the complex site and the surrounding infrastructure.

“Carillion is about to start the delivery of the foundations and basement for the first phase of buildings. We are very pleased that Carillion will now be able to continue this work and bring One Chamberlain Square to life.,” he said.

Construction of One Chamberlain Square will begin shortly, with completion expected in autumn 2018.  

The public realm enhancements to Chamberlain Square will also be implemented during this period and the second speculative office building, Two Chamberlain Square designed by Birmingham’s Glenn Howells Architects, will complete in early 2019.

The Paradise redevelopment is being brought forward through PCLP, a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council. The private sector funding is being managed by Hermes in partnership with CPPIB.

Letting agents for One and Two Chamberlain Square are Bilfinger GVA and CBRE.