£80m contract awarded to build Birmingham’s largest office tower

The long-awaited development of 103 Colmore Row will begin this summer after BAM was awarded the £80m build contract for what will become Birmingham’s largest office tower.

The 26-storey tower will have 223,600 sq ft of office space. Restaurants on the ground and top floors will cover 7,700 sq ft.

Birmingham City Council’s economic director Waheed Nazir said the announcement to start work on site “is a massive vote of confidence in Birmingham”.

103 Colmore Row

At 105.5m high, it will be the highest new office building under construction outside London.

James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, which bought the site in 2014, said: “It has been a long haul to get to this day but it is undoubtedly a proud one.

“103 Colmore Row will be a simply stunning addition to Birmingham’s skyline, reflecting the aspirations of the city.”

European property investment manager Rockspring is backing the development, which follows from its private rental scheme, The Forum, in Southside.

“Birmingham is the UK’s most exciting regional city,” said Michael Pryer, partner and fund manager at Rockspring.

“Our confidence in Birmingham is such that we are moving 103 Colmore Row forward.”

BAM has started site surveys and the main substructure works are expected to start in June.

Rod Stiles, regional director for BAM Construction in the Midlands

Rod Stiles, regional director for BAM Construction in the Midlands, added: “Our appointment to create 103 Colmore Row means that BAM is engaged on about one quarter of a billion
pounds of commercial developments within half a mile of each other in Birmingham’s central business district.”

The building has been designed by architects Doone Silver Kerr and features a winter garden, 18th floor terrace and business lounges.