Sterling Property Ventures and Rockspring have unveiled their proposals for a landmark tower at the heart of Birmingham’s business district.
The joint venture partnership plans to replace the 1970s Natwest Tower, at 103 Colmore Row, with a 26-storey glazed, steel and aluminium structure designed by London-based architects Doone Silver.
The new building, which at 336 ft will be a similar height to the existing tower, will provide a total of 211,000 sq ft of commercial space. The majority of the space – 196,000 sq ft –will be taken-up by office space, arranged over 19 floors, providing floorplates up to 11,500 sq ft.
The remaining 15,000 sq ft is intended for leisure use including an 8,600 sq ft top-floor restaurant featuring a ‘lantern’ space offering 360 degree views across the city. There are also plans for a ground-floor winter garden and café facing Colmore Row, along with a restaurant/bar on the Newhall Street façade.
Sterling and Rockspring acquired the property in November 2014 and submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council in January, seeking permission to demolish the existing tower which has been empty since 2003.
This application will be determined on 19 March, after which the piece-by-piece dismantling of the concrete building will begin. This is expected to take between 10-12 months.
Once the demolition is underway, Sterling and Rockspring will resolve the finer details of their plans. Initial consultations with Birmingham City Council and the design body CABE have informed the proposals which are open to public consultation today (17 March). A formal application will be submitted in May.
Discussing the proposals James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, said: “We are replacing an ugly and unloved tower with a striking building with a distinctive silhouette which will enhance the Birmingham skyline and act as a marker for orientation within the city.
“103 Colmore Row undisputedly provides the best views of the city. The top-floor restaurant means that these will not be exclusive to commercial occupiers but can be shared with the public. It will become a great destination.”
Sterling Property Ventures has an 860,000 sq ft development pipeline in Birmingham, including 103 Colmore Row. The new office tower is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. Colliers International, DTZ and Knight Frank have been appointed to advise on lettings.
