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Arena Central

(c) HOK International

(c) HOK International

(c) HOK International

(c) HOK International
The central water feature which can be frozen for skating

Birmingham skyscraper scaled down

BIRMINGHAM: Plans to build the United Kingdom's tallest skyscraper in Birmingham, have been scaled back by Miller Developments and Hampton Trust, the team behind the Arena Central project.

The developers received planning permission for a 50-storey mixed-use tower, which would have risen to a height of roughly 245m (805ft), after a public inquiry in 2000. The tower was always planned to be built as one of the latter phases of the project, but Miller Developments have now decided to reduce the height of the tower, to either 25- or 35-storeys according to different sources.

The attack on the World Trade Centre in September 2001 is cited as the reason for the reduction in height, but such an argument carries little weight considering the sheer number of taller skyscrapers currently seeking planning permission in London. It is more likely that the developers have simply decided to build what they had planned all along before Birmingham City Council persuaded them to double the height of their tower.

The Arena Central tower is the second in Birmingham to be reduced in height, following the removal of 6-storeys from the Holloway Circus Tower. Both projects cast doubt on the ability of Birmingham to build the world-class structures, the likes of which the Council had promoted in order to achieve a position as a major European financial centre.

Facts:
The Arena Central project was originally masterplanned by HOK International in 1998. The plan called for a landmark 50-storey tower of around 245 metres (805 feet) in height, always intended to be built as one of the latter phases of the scheme. In the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack and after considering market forces, the developers removed 15-storeys from the planned tower.

With a 450-bed, four-star hotel, high quality office cinemas and residential components, a central water feature which can be frozen for skating, a casino, shops, an array of entertainment and leisure facilities, all under glass. 

Chicago practice DeStefano & Partners were chosen to redesign the tower even before September 11th, but their involvement following this date is still unclear.

 

Rendered view over Holloway Circus

Beetham Tower Website

BIRMINGHAM: Planning permission has been granted for what will become the tallest building in Birmingham, the second largest city in the United Kingdom.

The Holloway Circus Tower is a 39-storey mixed-use skyscraper containing a Radisson SAS Hotel and apartments. Liverpool-based developer the Beetham Organization is behind the scheme, which will see a dramatic curved glass tower erected on a prominent site in the city centre. At 122-metres (399-feet), the Holloway Circus Tower will be the tallest building in Birmingham, topping the Alpha Tower by 22m. It will also contain some of the highest apartments in the UK; being only 1.1m shorter than the three towers of the Barbican Centre in London.

Demolition on the site has already started and construction of the tower is likely to begin in late 2003, with completion in 2005. Architect is Ian Simpson Architects, the structural engineer is Cantor Seinuk Group and the M&E engineer is Buro Happold.

The lower 5 levels incorporates Hotel and apartment foyers  levels 5 - 17 of the tower are to be occupied by a 221-bed Radisson SAS conference hotel with floors 19-36 being taken up by 144 luxury apartments with private roof terraces. Levels 37 and 39 are Triplex Penthouses, the ultimate in modern living providing outstanding panoramic views across the city Beetham Tower Birmingham will be the tallest mixed-use building in the UK.

The original 44-storey design - which was 150m (492ft) to the roof, 167m (548ft) to the structural top and 192m to the tip (630ft) - was scaled down following objections by the Civil Aviation Authority. The reduction in height also coincided with the World Trade Center attack on September 11th 2001 in New York City and a foiled attempt by the IRA to bomb Birmingham city centre.

Colmore Tower

Demolition work on the old Post & Mail Building is to start in 2003 sometime: Construction should start in 2004 with completion in 2005/2006

Tallest buildings in BIRMINGHAM

	Building Name		Ft	m	Floors
	Telecom Tower		500	152	-
	Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower		328	100	-
1	Alpha Tower		328	100	28
2	Cleveland Tower, Holloway Circus		295	90	32
3	Clydesdale Tower, Holloway Circus		295	90	32
4	The Rotunda		265	81	23
5	National Westminster House		262	80	23
6	Five Ways Tower		250	76	22
7	Centre City Tower		250	76	21
8	Hyatt Regency Hotel		246	75	24
9	Snow Hill Plaza (Kennedy Tower)		235	72	20
10	Colmore Gate		230	70	15
11	Quayside Tower (Broad Street)		230	70	18
12	The McLaren Building		225	69	21
13	Metropolitan House		225	69	19
14	Edgbaston House		220	67	18
15	Post and Mail Building		215	65	16
16	Bank of England Tower		210	64	20
17	Broad Street 195-209		210	64	18
18	Fifty4 Hagley Rd		207	63	18
19	Stephenson Tower, Station Street		205	62	20
20	Hagley House		200	61	17

The city skyline from Kingston Hill, Bordesley

Tall buildings in Birmingham's twin city Lyon, France