I actually would have preferred the second design - the three partially coiled towers - over the cube. It's not as imposing as the cube but it's shape is still very interesting to look at. And, most importantly, it includes a water-side square.
Despite all our public squares and canal-side cafes & restaurants, the two have yet to come together into a public space where you can relax beside the water.

I agree, it would be great to have a proper bit of public open space by the canals, and from looking at the cube's design it doesn't seem to maximise the canals all that much.

But i suppose the developer wants to maximise the use of land, meaning no open space.

That's one of my problems with The Cube, the way it squats on the entire site, right up to the canal edge (or so it seems). There's something quite oppressive about that.

Having said that, none of the alternatives above (and thanks for reproducing them, Blunther) are really rocking my boat either. Probably the top one and the tower are my favourites.

Despite all our public squares and canal-side cafes & restaurants, the two have yet to come together .

What about canal square?

Incidentally the second one down is my leas favourite

bTW

I didnt know anyone liked the residential bit of Broadway plaza. Whats to like?

That's one of my problems with The Cube, the way it squats on the entire site, right up to the canal edge (or so it seems).


the bottom floor is asortf inoorqare wth near contnual pedestrirn acesss.

None of the renderings show it in the way the model did. This is perhaps the best of the ones I can find.
http://tinypic.com/5urfbb
I ddi like your selridges pic btw.

bTW

I didnt know anyone liked the residential bit of Broadway plaza. Whats to like?

Sorry, I should be more specific: not the Tesco-facing elevation, but the Edgbaston-facing elevation. Relates to the Georgian buildings on the other side of the street surprisingly well.

Broadway Plaza as a whole, in fact - while not really a fan of this kind of development, I've seen a lot worse.

A hyeah I agree with that.

Probably in the interest of balance I should highlight some of the recent Birmingham buildings that are encouragingly good: ... Caxtongate phase III (the one with the Tesco Metro on the bottom)... Ew I'm not sure about that one - I'd have that as item 1 on the "ticks the fitting-in boxes but still ruins the street and looks crap" list. New St deserved better than that IMO.

[IMG]the area is presently fantastic for an outdoor drink/eat and this could fuck it up.Mmm, there is a danger it could badly overshadow those terraces at the back of the Mailbox, though the rendering you've posted seems to show a reasonable gap between the terraces and the side of the cube so hopefully it won't present too obtrusive a cold shoulder.

The design of the fretwork thing seems to have changed a bit between that render and the ones on the website too - the edges don't seem to fade out the way they did on the earlier one, they have a much harder outline. Not sure that's an improvement.

I actually would have preferred the second design - the three partially coiled towers - over the cube. It's not as imposing as the cube but it's shape is still very interesting to look at. And, most importantly, it includes a water-side square.
Despite all our public squares and canal-side cafes & restaurants, the two have yet to come together into a public space where you can relax beside the water.
Birmingham's canals aren't naturally open and spacious though - you could argue that their atmospheric claustrophobia and the way they seemed coiled around the city's bones is something that they've been in danger of losing with some of the more recent developments (eg the east side of the gas street basin).

That's one of the things that looks great about that new Warwick Bar masterplan - it increases access to the canal but through a series of fairly narrow spaces opening it up just a bit while keeping the sense of mystery and intimacy. It doesn't just blow the whole thing open.

That's one of my problems with The Cube, the way it squats on the entire site, right up to the canal edge (or so it seems). There's something quite oppressive about that.

Having said that, none of the alternatives above (and thanks for reproducing them, Blunther) are really rocking my boat either. Probably the top one and the tower are my favourites.

I can see your fears Bel but I don't think it would be oppressive - if the fretwork was removed I think we would all be surprised by just how open the Cube is - it will have a big central atrium and flowing pedestrian access, together with the apartment balconies overlooking everything. Then the building is wrapped in what is effectively a very wide-gauge mesh - so the sense of openness remains.

Birmingham's canals aren't naturally open and spacious though - you could argue that their atmospheric claustrophobia and the way they seemed coiled around the city's bones is something that they've been in danger of losing with some of the more recent developments (eg the east side of the gas street basin).

That's one of the things that looks great about that new Warwick Bar masterplan - it increases access to the canal but through a series of fairly narrow spaces opening it up just a bit while keeping the sense of mystery and intimacy. It doesn't just blow the whole thing open.

Very good point Bileduct - I like the way the wharfs and factories and warehouses are right against the water - that makes the canal a canal and not feel like a river. I would like to see the canal run through the new park though with large open space, and it is always nice to have the open basins with maybe an hotel or bars, shops etc alongside.

I love the idea of a mesh-type surround. The local birds are going to have to learn double quick!

Well, when I say mesh-type, I was using that to illustrate how the building would appear - that you would be able to see through to the building within. The gauge looks to be varying between 50mm to 500mm so I think the birds will be ok :) In fact, I am sure they'll love sitting on it watching the world go by....

Just think back to Selfridges... How was we feeling when that was in the pipeline...?
I am glad this will be the same... It is bold and will give haauuge iconic status to Brum... I remeber an Yanky telling me he wnet to Brum and he said he loved it and the Bullring was bold and stunning.. He then continued and said "What will you brummies think of next...?" What will we think of next after these two...?

http://80.86.36.120/vault/XDDocStore_4/0126737_FINAL.25-45%20Commercial%20St.Cube.C0540505OUT.pdf

Thanks for the link.

Had a good look round the site yesterday and the video within the mailbox, this building really will be an icon which will be probably more recognisable then Selfridges, it really is that special. The aerial view from the resturant aswell will be something spectacular. but could be better with BST and AC going up with it ;)

This to me, is the best thing to be built in Birmingham for years. Its truly amazing.

just seen the vid on the website. i think im gonna have to wait and see it when it's built. i really cant make up my mind about it.

hi by the way, im thom, born in brum now at bham uni, so i guess i must like the place!

Hmmm... Just had a look at the video, dunno, but that cube now reminds me of the Central Library, big square (d'oh!) thingy with fancy covering with a sixties shopping mall in the centre. That's a Bad thing.

But that's just from the video, real life will be different.

OMG!!! That video of the cube is great, i can't wait to see this built, what a view you would have on the rooftop restaurant of BST and Arena Central (when they finally get around to starting the development) getting built hopefully.

Heres the link to the website again:


http://www.thecubeiscoming.com/

I kind of wish this was being done in about 5 years time once eastside/warwick bar/Irish q etc are all well under way or substantially complete. This area is already well developed which is why the cube looks a bit squeezed in there. All the people buying flats here wont be buying flats in the new side of town, although I acknowledge its not right to oversimplify supply and demand when it comes to residential property as, apparantly, we are building residential at the slowest rate for decades.

whens it getting built??

Hmmm... Just had a look at the video, dunno, but that cube now reminds me of the Central Library, big square (d'oh!) thingy with fancy covering with a sixties shopping mall in the centre. That's a Bad thing.

But that's just from the video, real life will be different.

it looks nothing like the central library ? and the shopping centre paradise forum is a nineties addition to the space !!

So is this project starting sometime this year???

So is this project starting sometime this year???

Yes

Demo due to start late spring?

Ooo-blimey, not much time left to get some pictures and have a meal at Don Salvo's (still haven't eaten there - starting to feel guilty now that it's going)

bloody hell, didnt think its woud be that quick off the mark...wonder when we'll hear from the ODPM

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Am i the only one to notice the question mark in Bio's post.

I don't think he actually knows for sure, he was merely putting it as a possibility.

the video is cool. I think the Cube is one of those buildings that will look a lot better in skin than in renders. I love the jigsaw like facade ! Somehow I dont fancy that abstart tringular top. It looks nice on its own but looks out of place with the rest of the building. It sort of balances out or cancels out the cubish shape altogether making the overall structure a bit too 'complete'. Wish it had just been a stragihtforward cube without that top !

have a meal at Don Salvo's (still haven't eaten there - starting to feel guilty now that it's going)
Dont go- its awful by all accounts. Fish was OK.

Cube news.

Rush on for homes in the city's Cube Jan 16 2006
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Hundreds of people have already registered an interest in The Cube - Birmingham's latest city living development next to the award-winning Mailbox scheme.

Alan Chatham, director of Birmingham Development Company, the firm behind the new scheme, said: "An enormous amount of research has gone into finding out what people actually want in their ideal new home and it has been put to good use.

"The Cube is not about repeating a standard formula for apartments it is about setting a new one. It will deliver futuristic homes, of an outstanding calibre, imaginatively designed and easy to respond to."

With interest already building in the city for the apartments, since planning was announced, the web-site has proven invaluable with more than 475 people registering their interest online before Christmas alone.

All apartments are to be sold on a first come, first served basis from as early as February through a series of private releases handled by agents Knight Frank.


The Cube's completion is scheduled for 2008.



Another Cube link.
http://westmidlands.ideasfactory.com/art_design/features/feature57.htm

Am i the only one to notice the question mark in Bio's post.

I don't think he actually knows for sure, he was merely putting it as a possibility.

It was a deliberate question mark (I am glad you spotted it Jolon). I think I read April or Spring somewhere but am not 100%. Once the ODPM say yes work will start though - they are ready...

Dont go- its awful by all accounts. Fish was OK.
Thanks for the tip Rigadon.
It looks quite inviting from the outside and is advertised as the "mailbox's best kept secret"? Maybe they meant "best kept a secret"!

I have been there (once) and the food was quite good. Nothing amazing but decent enough

I do know people that have been and said it was average and service was bad though.

Dont go- its awful by all accounts. Fish was OK.

I went to Don Salvo with the other half on saturday night. I thought the food was superb and the service was very good too.

I was talking to the waiter about CUBE and he said that they wll be moving to the spot next to FINO in 4 weeks time.

well to those of you who went to fish, then this has to be an improvement. one of the biggest dissapointments ever!

I have been there (once) and the food was quite good. Nothing amazing but decent enough

I do know people that have been and said it was average and service was bad though.

Well it does sound like its variable and sometomes good but persnaly I wouldnt take a chance given how negative the feedback from friends has been. "Bad" really doesnt do justice to the service described in some of these reviews.

http://www.birminghamplus.com/reviews/reviews_details.asp?rid=1552&iid=1475&uid=1382

http://www.birminghamplus.com/reviews/reviews_details.asp?rid=1637&iid=1475&uid=1432

http://www.birminghamplus.com/reviews/reviews_details.asp?rid=1399&iid=1475&uid=1257

http://www.mybrum.co.uk/birmingham/restaurants-review-don-salvo.htm

I coudlnt find it quickly but I once read a review that ended with a fight between dinners and serving staff.

Work on site due to begin early spring (no question mark).

Swift start then.I wish everything went as smoothly as this project.It seems like yesterday when they announced the design competition.

Work on site due to begin early spring (no question mark).
Bostin.
I hope access across the steel bridge won't be affected while they demolish and build.

... http://www.birminghamplus.com/reviews/reviews_details.asp?rid=1552&iid=1475&uid=1382 ...
Cheers for those links. I've not come across the reviews on Birmingham Plus before. They will be useful in choosing a restaurant for Feb 14th.

www.eat-the-midlands.co.uk

is another good one - done by Alison Davies who reviews for The Post.

Or buy the Post on Wednesday - there is a pull-out section in there.

What kind of place are you looking for Steve?

We should have a pub/restaurant recommendation/critic thread!

What kind of place are you looking for Steve?
We should have a pub/restaurant recommendation/critic thread!
I'm looking for a quiet restaurant - Italian, Spanish or English. I was thinking of San Carlos, but the Birmingham Plus website says it's more appropriate for large parties.
At this stage, I'm just hoping there are still tables left. Last year I booked-up two weeks in advance and could only get a reservation for 9pm (and that was a restaurant on my local high street). Valentine's Day gets earlier and earlier every year!

Well, depending on where you live, there are a couple of small bistros in Harborne.

I have not been to the Brasserie at Malamaison but that is recommended by friends.

San Carlo's is good but it is quite hustley and bustley, although Valentine's will be different I'm sure.

Cielo in Brindley Place? (Italian)
Bucklemaker just off St Paul's Square? English/European - very nice :)
Pasta Di Piazza just of St Paul's Square (Italian) - also nice and a bit more affordable than the other 2...

Hello - never thought i'd be giving restaurant reviews on here... but if you are looking for somewhere small an intimate with (IMHO) the best food in Birmingham, you can't do better than La Torque d'Or in the Jewellery Quarter... It's French, mostly meat, and only a few veg, but all cooked to an amazingly high standard...

OLIx

Thanks Oli - I have heard good things about La Toque d'Or but haven't yet tried it... :)

I went to Don Salvo with the other half on saturday night. I thought the food was superb and the service was very good too.

I was talking to the waiter about CUBE and he said that they wll be moving to the spot next to FINO in 4 weeks time.

i noticed the spot next to fino is the cube site office, people are working in there on computers and stuff, seems odd to move them in then out for don salvo ?

Thanks for all those recommendations.
I'm starting to realise how few restuarants in town we've actually tried. We tend to go back to the same ones again and again. I have been to Ceilo before - very nice food and good service, although it was very quiet on the day we went.
I'll make a note of those restaurants in the Jewellery Quarter. We always end up there when friends are visiting, so it's handy to know some good places to eat.