Second phase of Paradise scheme begins
Construction work has started on One Centenary Way, the latest building at Paradise Birmingham and the first part of phase two of the development.
The announcement follows site clearance and enabling works to allow construction of the 280,000 sq ft, thirteen-storey building to begin.
Designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects, One Centenary Way incorporates three-metre wide horizontal windows, encased within an exposed structural steel façade. The design is a response to the complex site location above the A38 Queensway tunnels which will remain open throughout the construction process.
The building will offer large office floorplates of up to 22,500 sq ft as well as retail space at ground floor level.
One Centenary Way follows on from the first phase of Paradise which includes One Chamberlain Square and Two Chamberlain Square. These buildings, along with new public realm, will complete this winter.
One Chamberlain Square is fully let to PwC which will be moving more than 2,000 staff to the building in the new year. Dishoom, the Indian restaurant, will be taking part of the ground floor space of the building.
At Two Chamberlain Square, law firm DLA Piper has taken the top two floors of office space while wine bar and restaurant Vinoteca will be launching outside London for the first time on the ground floor.
Rob Groves, regional director at Argent, said: “Since obtaining planning permission for One Centenary Way last year, we have been working hard behind the scenes to bring the building forward. The innovative design solution for One Centenary Way makes a strong statement and establishes a major new landmark for the city and we are confident of delivering a truly striking new building.
“The challenges of building above the A38 Queensway tunnels mean we needed a contractor with the right civil engineering expertise to get this stage of work moving. We are keen to now maintain momentum and move ahead with the second phase of Paradise.”
Birmingham City Council granted planning permission for the building in March 2018.
Simon Trevor of Sir Robert McAlpine said: “Central to how we operate is to work very closely with developers and Paradise is no different. We are proud to be appointed to work on this major project in the centre of Birmingham that will create a real landmark for the city as part of one of the largest mixed-use developments in the UK. Our long history of major construction projects in the city includes the Bullring and more recently, Exchange Square.”
One Centenary Way is the first building to be developed in the second phase of Paradise. Phase Two includes a new 250-bedroom, 22 storey four star hotel, earmarked for completion in 2023. A further office building, Three Chamberlain Square, will complete Phase Two along with further public realm that includes a new space, Ratcliff Square, between these buildings.
