Conservatoire on the move to make way for Paradise Circus scheme

BIRMINGHAM City University has announced a new £40m home for the Birmingham Conservatoire.

The new purpose-built Conservatoire will be sited alongside Millennium Point, adjacent to Jennens Road in Eastside. The development is being taken forward in partnership with Millennium Point and Birmingham City Council.

The new facility is due to open by summer 2017.

Vice-chancellor Professor Cliff Allan said: “Birmingham City Council’s redevelopment of Paradise Circus meant that a new home was needed for our world-famous Birmingham Conservatoire. 

“Over the past few months the university has been in close negotiation with Birmingham City Council to reach an appropriate agreement. 

“Subject to confirmation of the compulsory purchase order of Paradise Circus by the secretary of state, construction is expected to commence in summer 2014.

“I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will enable Birmingham Conservatoire to relocate to this new, state-of-the-art building by summer 2017.”

Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore said: “Birmingham is known worldwide for its music talent and Birmingham Conservatoire is part of our heritage and critical to our future.

“The redevelopment of Paradise Circus has provided an opportunity to deliver a new venue that will take forward the brilliant talent we have here and be a landmark for music excellence, creating a further high quality aspect to the educational presence at Eastside.”     

The new Conservatoire will incorporate two performance spaces, including a new concert hall for orchestral training and public performance, as well as private rehearsal and practice rooms, recording technology and teaching spaces for musicians from a variety of disciplines.

An announcement on the choice of architect and support design team will be made shortly with construction work planned to start next year.