56-storey tower could restart city regeneration
DEVELOPERS behind plans for a 200m high tower in the centre of Birmingham say work on the site will begin ‘in the coming year’ after winning planning approval for the scheme.
Regal Property Group says its mixed-use Regal Tower could be the highest building in the UK outside of London. It will be built on the corner of Broad Street and Sheepcote Street.
Designed by Aedas Architects, the £125million mixed use development will stand at 56 storeys, and includes a 289 bed luxury/business hotel, 256 serviced apartments, three floors of penthouses set within the ‘crown’ at the top of the building, plus a parade of boutique shops on the ground floor with basement parking.
A triple-height foyer will house a premium bar/restaurant and a 500-person banqueting suite, as well as conference and meeting rooms. Other facilities include a spa and fitness suite and a double height sky bar on the 30th floor.
If it goes ahead, the development would be seen as re-starting Birmingham’s programme of city centre regeneration led by a number of ‘iconic’ high-rise developments. The site is very close to the Arena Central development, where plans for the ‘V Building’ by Isle of Man developers Dandarra were put on hold as the recession bit. Similarly, Ballymore’s second and third towers at Snow Hill are currently mothballed.
Mark Holbeche of Regal Property Group said the building ‘ticked all the boxes’ in Birmingham’s world city aspirations, and will be delivered over the next five years.
Residents in nearby King Edwards Wharf had objected to the scheme, fearing it would lead to severe traffic congestion, but city transport officers reassured planners that local roads could cope. Planners also urged the developers to commit to the use of high quality design and materials.
Mr Holbeche said: “The news of the granted planning permission is testament to the significance and importance of this prime gateway site which, with the quality design of the mixed use development, is set to become a focal point for the area. Providing much needed state of the art facilities in this area of the city upon completion, Regal Tower will also generate a high level of employment for local people.
“The Big City Plan sets out a need for more tall buildings and we are proud to have responded to this with the Regal Tower plans. Our planning advisors at DTZ and architects at Aedas have worked very closely with Birmingham City Council over the past three years to ensure all analysis undertaken is robust and relevant. We are delighted with the result.”
Mr Holbeche said the tower would create up to 400 jobs when built, as well as 300 construction during the three year build programme.
Roger Holbeche of Regal Property Group, said: “Work to undertake this ambitious project is expected to start on site in the coming year.”
