Colmore Gate redevelopment plans submitted to council

More than 3,600 jobs could be created after plans were submitted for the partial demolition and extension of the Colmore Gate building.

Rather than redevelop, AP Colmore (a subsidiary of Ashtrom Properties), is working alongside Lichfields and Buckley Gray Yeoman (BGY) architects to refurbish and extend the existing building to create a 26-storey tower and a 10-storey shoulder building for Colmore Row.

This will maximise the use of embodied carbon, as well as generating more than £200m in economic output each year.

AP Colmore says that significant upgrades to the appearance, façade and functionality of the existing office building will be made, alongside upgraded employee and visitor facilities to boost health and wellbeing.

Improvements will also be made to the public realm with new entrances created onto Colmore Row and Bull Street as the existing passageway is closed. The commercial units on the ground floor will be retained but replaced by a safer pedestrian route around the building.

The application submission follows a period of engagement and pre-application liaison with Birmingham City Council Officers and key stakeholders. The developer assures that its design “fully considers the historical context of this sensitive location within the setting of the Colmore Row and Environs Conservation Area and St Philips Cathedral”.

Tom Edgerley, Director of Development at Ashtrom Properties, said: “We are excited to announce that we have submitted a planning application for the refurbishment and extension of Colmore Gate. This is a major milestone in our plans to regenerate this important building and create a new employment hub for the region. This project has the potential to create 3,600 new jobs and generate over £200 million in economic output per year. We look forward to working with the local authority to bring this project to fruition.”

Guy Lewinsohn, CEO at Ashtrom Properties, said: “We are thrilled to have submitted this planning application and excited to see the transformation of this building take place. We want to thank Birmingham City Council for their support and enthusiasm. We are committed to the city and look forward to expanding our investment in Birmingham.”

The planning application is currently in the process of being validated by Birmingham City Council, with a decision expected before the end of 2023.