Cranes arrive to help build Paradise
Construction work is being ramped up at Birmingham’s Paradise development with the erection of the first of two tower cranes on the site.
The second crane is due to be moved onto the site next week. The tower cranes – known technically as TC1 and TC2 – will provide some sense of scale for the development.
TC1, the larger of the two cranes and the first to be erected, can lift 87 metres above ground and can reach 49 metres out from its base. The slightly smaller TC2 can lift up to 55 metres in height with a maximum reach of 44 metres.
The arrival of the cranes also marks a significant stage in the redevelopment.
While 2016 was a year dominated by demolition, the arrival of the cranes is set to make 2017 the year of construction. Work on the foundations of both One and Two Chamberlain Square has already progressed quickly, with the first three storeys of the One Chamberlain Square core now visible.
Rob Groves, regional director at Argent, said: “As a result of the demolition work we’ve opened up some stunning new views through the city and also made great progress preparing for construction.
“The next 12 months will be completely different as One and Two Chamberlain Square actually start to come out of the ground. Very shortly people will be able to see the reality of what we have been working towards for nearly a decade.”
Carillion, contactor for the enabling and infrastructure works – as well as the construction of One Chamberlain Square – has managed the installation, which requires equally large crawler cranes in order to be lifted into place.
Simon Dingle, operations director at Carillion, said: “This next stage will be one of the most exciting of all, as the structures start to take shape and Paradise begins to offer a new presence on Birmingham’s skyline, which has already changed so much in such a short space of time.”
One Chamberlain Square is due for completion 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, which has been designed by Birmingham’s Glenn Howells Architects, will complete in early 2019.
The Paradise redevelopment is being brought forward through Paradise Circus Limited Partnership (PCLP), a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council. Argent is the development manager.
