Shaping Birmingham's landscape for years to come
Birmingham Post Rebirth of a Region Supplement - February 2007
Birmingham has come a long way since the economic slump of the 80’s and early 90’s. With over £11 billion committed to regenerating the region the vision for an improved Birmingham is now finally starting to take shape.
No one has seen the transformation of the city evolve as much as Calthorpe Estates who has been part of Birmingham for 300 years. With a challenging remit to enhance Edgbaston and help build Birmingham’s reputation as a world class city, they are now beginning to reap the fruits of their labour.
Calthorpe Estates’ strategic vision of regeneration encompasses a wide variety of elements, ranging from improving the physical landscape, enhancing the retail and leisure offering, leading the way with sustainable and environmental schemes and stimulating economic investment opportunities.
With sustainability at its heart for three centuries, Calthorpe Estates continue to ensure that today’s challenging environmental standards are integral to their £350 million regeneration programme.
New office buildings are being built to exacting environmental criteria and the aesthetics of the area including the multitude of period buildings and landscaping are high on the strategic agenda.
19 George Road is one example of this. It is set to become the first office building in Birmingham to be accredited with a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the internationally recognised environmental assessment method launched by the Building Research Establishment in 1990. This tremendous accolade clearly differentiates it from any other currently in the city. Pre-let to Shaw Tax Ltd, the 12,527 sq ft building is of a unique and hugely contemporary design, creating the vision of working life in years to come.
Calthorpe House, the £40 million Grade A office development, is also well on track to achieving a top BREEAM rating. The 102,000sq ft development will become Birmingham’s second office to achieve BREEAM, closely following 19 George Road. The development, situated near Five Ways Island, will offer fully air-conditioned open floor plates of up to 22,000 sq ft upon completion, due in 2008.
Demolition has taken place and is now complete and work on site is set to begin later this year.
Calthorpe Estates’ strategic view to regeneration also incorporates a new retail and leisure vision for the area, which includes the landmark mixed-use scheme, Edgbaston Mill.
Formally known as Tally Ho!, the nine-acre site opposite Edgbaston Cricket Ground will be transformed into a sought-after destination to both live and work, offering a stylish alternative to city centre living.
Boasting 344 apartments, 34,700 sq ft of retail and restaurant space, 64,500 sq ft of office space, a 120 bedroom hotel and 31,150 sq ft of leisure facilities.
A stunning artistic piazza, approximately the same scale as Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre, will front the scheme, which will provide a large area of coveted public space.
Cordwell Property Group is the development partner who is managing the scheme and Redrow Homes are leading the residential element, offering 344 desirable and luxurious apartments, almost a third of which have already been sold. It is expected that occupiers will be able to move in autumn 2007 and start on site for the commercial element of phase one is due later this year.
Calthorpe Estates are also working with Birmingham City Council to regenerate the Five Ways area with the creation of the £110 million scheme, Edgbaston Galleries.
The 424,500 sq ft development will create a high quality destination with much needed facilities, including retail and leisure space, offices, a hotel and extensive car parking.
Investment opportunities for the city are also being created with the flagship £90 million University Science Park, Pebble Mill, which will create 12 acres of world-class international research and development facilities for the life science industries.
The wealth of scientific and technological expertise that has developed since the demise of the manufacturing industries has led to a strong knowledge economy for the West Midlands which has been pivotal to the growth strategy of the region.
As a true centre of excellence, University Science Park Pebble Mill will help to elevate the city’s status and underline international recognition and stimulate the employment sector by developing a new sustainable skills base and creating an estimated 1500 new jobs.
Detailed masterplanning of the site is currently underway on the joint venture between Calthorpe Estates, Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and the Central Technology Belt.
These landmark developments will play a significant role in the renaissance of Birmingham and help to position the city as a key international destination. Calthorpe Estates’ regeneration strategy will enhance the investment opportunities in the city and make Birmingham a highly attractive destination to both live and work.