UPDATE: 5 Centenary Square Now 10 Storeys

Due to market confidence in Birmingham, the landmark office building has now been increased to 10 storeys tall on the back of tenant demand.

Here are the latest renderings for the next building to kick off at Arena Central.

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The 10-storey building (264,340K) comprises speculative office space, with top floor external terrace, basement car parking, and the creation of a new public realm.

The development offers large, flexible floorplates with a central core, and will accommodate a variety of tenants: either a single occupier, a few major tenants, or several smaller tenancies.

It'll feature a basement and two levels of rooftop plant rooms on top; alongside a ground floor reception facing onto Centenary Square, with lower and upper ground floor office space to the rear and 8 storeys of office floorspace above.

The basement will contain vehicular parking for 32 cars (including 2 for disabled use), alongside 160 cycle spaces with showers and changing facilities. Access will be taken via a shared ramp from Bridge Street. Charging points for electric vehicles will be added if there is significant demand.

In terms of design, 5CS has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of the Portland stone & granite materials used by listed builds nearby.

Using alternate solid and glazed panels creates a simple, bold chequerboard pattern that emphasises the curved corner, and relates to the context of Centenary Square.

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Updated renderings the property of MAKE Architects.

Past, present and future of 5 Centenary Square, Birmingham

The history and future of this build in a prime location in Birmingham is fascinating. Stephen pulls it all together in this fascinating post.

Birmingham continues to move forward as one of the country’s most successful business destinations, and with developments such at Arena Central, Centenary Square and Chamberlain Square it's easy to see why.

Latest to hit the development scene is 5 Centenary Square..

Boasting floorplates totalling 225,086 sq ft of office space over nine floors, 5 Centenary Square will also include a seventh floor external terrace overlooking the newly transformed Centenary Square.

The development is being brought forward by Make Architects and Arena Central Developments LLP - otherwise known as Kier Property, who recently purchased AC from Miller Developments.

With Centenary Square undergoing a staggering transformation, the Midland Metro Tram close to running through, and with all the major cultural attractions closeby, 5 Centenary Square represents a prime location for any potential occupier(s).

2014 SCHEME

Planning consent was actually granted for this very building (then known as 1 Arena Central) at eight storeys tall. 

However, it was put on hold, with the rest of Arena Central being built up. Now it''s back, amended and firmly back on the agenda, as I'll point out below.

THE BUILDING

Make no mistake, Arena Central and its plethora of new buildings are causing a bit of a stir. The designs are bold and “out there”.

The beauty of architecture is that there's no wrong opinion. You'll either love it, or you'll absolutely loathe it.

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5 Centenary Square will complete the line of frontages facing onto Centenary Square and will become a gateway into Arena Central, with Hyatt Hotel and Alpha Tower bookmarking the site on opposite sides.

With an elegant curve and a bold precast pattern, it's been designed to imitate and respect its grand old Portland Stone neighbours next door and across the square, whilst adding its own modern interpretation to proceedings.

The curve has been designed to draw people into the development and onto the landscaped ‘Serpentine’ pedestrian route.

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The route will zig-zag its way through the development, finishing up on Holliday Street, but not before linking up with The Terrace & Bank Court - new public plazas yet to come, as well as secondary pedestrian routes, as seen below.

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DESIGN & FACADE

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As you can see, the cladding is simple, yet effective.

Inspiration has been taken from Bridget Riley - a fine art artist. See her 'Movement in Square' piece here, and her other works here.

Her specialty is creating illusions that make flat surfaces appear rippled or curved.

Applying that to this building emphasises the curve, whilst strengthening the overall form of the building.

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There are a range of options for the precast concrete panels. Final shades are yet to be confirmed. Greater Birmingham Developments will be sure to keep everyone up to date on any changes.

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CAR & CYCLE ACCESS

Vehicular access to the building is available via Bridge Street, as is the case with HSBC UK. Cars will enter and exit via the shared ramp.

A total of 68 parking spaces are to be provided at basement level, alongside charging points for electric vehicles.

Cycle storage is located on the lower ground floor, with access from the Bridge Street pavement. These will include cycle racks, showers and locker facilities.

LIGHTING SCHEME

With Centenary Square lighting up the area beautifully nowadays, this building won't be awash with light.

It'll be a case of less is more and just highlighting its best features.

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The ground floor recessed entrance, as you can see in the picture above, will be uplit, providing a safe and welcoming presence.

Looking upwards, you'll notice that the balcony around the curved corner will too be illuminated, with fittings mounted on the inside face of the cladding panels.

As for the internal lights on the office floorplates. These will be switched on or off depending on the tenants’ hours of operation.

CHANGES FROM THE 2014 SCHEME

We've got an additional floor, which is being dictated by market confidence and interest from potential occupiers, impressed no doubt by the city’s ability at signing up HMRC and HSBC UK, next door.

Other changes have seen the commercial unit on the ground floor facing onto Centenary Square omitted, following feedback from these "potential" occupiers.

Active frontages will dominate though, albeit in the form of staff cafés, meeting suites or office space. The fire-fighting entrance, cycle entrance and parking exit have also been changed to improve the overall aesthetic of the building.

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MORE PICTURES OF 5 CENTENARY SQUARE:

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All pictures in this article are artists impression from Make Architects

Introducing 5 Centenary Square, Birmingham, UK

5 Centenary Square is the next build in the stunning Arena Central, Birmingham cluster.  Take the post to get the details on this Kier Property build which has been designed by Make Architects.

USE:

Erection of a 9-storey building comprising 225,086 sq ft of speculative office space, including a 7th floor external terrace overlooking Centenary Square.

A secure cycle store (64 bikes), with showers, refuse and plant rooms in addition to office space, will be located on the lower ground floor. 

The basement will contain car parking and plant rooms, of which 68 will be made available.

The development will see new landscaping & a public realm that will connect with the first phase of public realm works. 

DESIGN:

In terms of building design - 5CS is said to be a contemporary interpretation of the Portland stone & granite materials used by listed builds nearby.

DEVELOPER:

Arena Central Developments LLP

ARCHITECTS:

Make Architects 

DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE: 

https://arena-central.com/

PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBER(S): 
2014/04004/PA (Reserved Matters)
2019/06718/PA (Revised Full Planning)
(https://bit.ly/2qQZ32O)

ARTISTS IMPRESSIONS OF THE BUILD - courtesy of Kier Property & Make Architects

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