i9 office development reaches another milestone
City of Wolverhampton Council’s office development i9 has hit new heights with its roof structure in the process of being completed.
Contractor GRAHAM has also started installing the brick-faced, pre-cast external façade on the six-storey building.
It is another milestone for the development that has already become a prominent feature of the city centre’s skyline.
i9 is set in the heart of the City of Wolverhampton Interchange and emerged as a scheme following the success of the i10 complex on the opposite side of Railway Drive.
The finished building will provide up to 52,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, which has potential for 5,600 sq ft of retail or leisure space and is planned for completion in summer 2021.
City of Wolverhampton Council and property developer Ion selected Glenn Howells Architects’ design for i9 as the winner from a field of ten architects and urban design practices in a national design competition.
i9
They are the architects behind the Paradise Birmingham scheme – one of the biggest city centre development projects in the UK.
Cllr Stephen Simkins, cabinet member for city economy, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see the progress being made with the i9 development, which is attracting strong interest from potential occupiers.
“This fantastic development will help us stimulate economic growth in the city, bringing hundreds of jobs and much-needed opportunities for local people in our recovery from the current Covid-19 crisis.
“As well as helping get Wolverhampton back on its feet, it is another step towards our aspirations of creating a commercial district in this area of the city centre.”
Ion development director, Rob Mason, added: “GRAHAM have made excellent progress in completing the concrete frame of the building and have now commenced the brick and glass façade panels which have been manufactured off site and are a strong feature of the building. The next milestone will be ensuring the building is watertight which is expected within the next couple of months.”
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is supporting the development of i9.
Knight Frank is the agent for the scheme.
