Construction begins on second Paradise building

Construction group BAM will begin work this week on Two Chamberlain Square – the second building at Birmingham’s Paradise development.

The striking 183,000 sq ft contemporary office building joins One Chamberlain Square in fronting the enhanced new public realm that will complete the first phase of the Paradise development.

Between them, the buildings offer more than 350,000 sq ft of office and retail space and form the city’s most prestigious commercial address. They are due to be completed in late 2019.

BAM, which was appointed back in 2017, will oversee a team of over 200 construction workers, which will deliver the building and erect two new tower cranes that will arrive on site in April to aid construction.

The two basement levels have already been created as part of the site enabling works to Paradise and therefore the building frame will soon be evident on the Birmingham skyline.

Rob Groves, regional director of Argent, development managers for Paradise, said: “The start of work on Two Chamberlain Square, our second speculative office building, underlines the momentum gathering around Paradise and marks yet another milestone for the city’s most vibrant, mixed use development.

“Two Chamberlain Square will be an exceptional building, leading the way in modern workplace design and performance. As it takes its place on the city’s ever changing skyline over the next year, it will deliver a prestigious commercial address at the civic heart of Birmingham.”

The first building at Paradise, One Chamberlain Square, topped out in December 2017. It has been fully pre-let to professional services firm PwC which will relocate its existing 1,400 strong Birmingham team and potentially a further 1,000 people to accommodate its regional growth.

Argent has previously worked with BAM on several projects in Birmingham and across the UK.

BAM built seven of the 11 buildings at Brindleyplace, as well as buildings at King’s Cross in London.

Rod Stiles, Regional Director for BAM Construction in the Midlands, said: “BAM is already working closely with the Paradise team to deliver this prestigious, landmark building.

“We’re bringing ultra-modern construction techniques to this complex site in the civic heart of the city, surrounded by some of the country’s most beautiful Victorian buildings.

“Argent and BAM started our industry leading partnership in 1994 with the first new building at Brindleyplace and we have now delivered over 30 award winning buildings together.

“We expect this productive partnership to make Two Chamberlain Square equally successful.”

Designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects, Two Chamberlain Square is an eight-storey building.

Large open floorplates of approximately 24,000 sq ft make up the upper floors complemented by 16,000 sq ft of retail space at ground level with access to both Chamberlain Square and Centenary Way.

It will also feature a panoramic terrace on the sixth floor giving stunning views across to the Grade II listed Museum & Art Gallery and Council House and the Grade I listed Town Hall.

At 1.8 million square feet, Paradise will deliver up to ten new flagship buildings, offering offices, shops, bars, cafés, restaurants and a four star hotel across 17 acres in the heart of Birmingham.

The Paradise redevelopment is being brought forward through Paradise Circus Limited Partnership (PCLP), a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council.

The private sector funding is being managed by Hermes Investment Management which has partnered with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) on the first phase of the development. Argent is the development manager.

For more information please www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk