Curzon Park Masterplan

[birminghamculture]

Curzon call

Architect Hamilton Associates will this month submit its Curzon Park masterplan in Birmingham for planning permission.


1 July, 2005

The 10-acre site includes 72,000 m2 of office space, 40,000 m2 of mixed residential tenure, a 300-bed hotel and a mix of cafes, restaurants, shops and leisure facilities. The client is Eastside Partnership, the project manager and planning supervisor is Drivers Jonas, the multidisciplinary engineer is Arup and the spatial integration specialist is Space Syntax.

http://www.building.co.uk/Pictures/web/f/r/g/VIEW_1_C(1).jpg

[birminghamculture]

Very Interesting - I see a wall of 50m glass towers, with cafes, shops and most of all, GREENARY

I like very much :cheers:

[Steldemetriou]

Nice at last some news! i take it this is the new Eastside park. Couldn't be more different from what's there at the moment, and with Richard Rogers City Park Gate it will be an amazing transformation.

[Confused Philosopher]

Looks very friendly and natural.

[mk61]

Looks interesting. Is this the old parcelforce site?

Two points to raise though.

1. That artwork looks very similar to city park gate.
2. This will be affected by the MacDermid consultation zone, if it is the old parcelforce site.

[pirlo_21]

looks very nice

[Accura4Matalan]

Looks very promising.

[woodhousen]

i dont think this has anything to do with the park actually......

[Confused Philosopher]

My my, we need to get ourselves a thesauras. "Looks" was our first word 4 posts in a row!

[Martin G]

Looks like a pile of shite to me. It will never come off. Very few great schemes in Brum ever do these days.

Bring back Will Alsop....all is forgiven.

[pirlo_21]

starting to agree with you again, a few days ago i thought it would look fantastic, but can just imagine this project being scaled back and ending up with something out of the old soviet bloc

[Martin G]

I just find the proposals and designs predictable, derivative, totally generic and boring.

Pretty much symptomatic of Brum in general in fact.

Playing safe seems to be the game with the former second city of the UK now, doesn't it? I mean I once visualised a striking spiral skyscraper tower to be built in place of the Post and Mail Building at Colmore Circus and posted the pic up on these very forums a year or two ago (see the "Projects" thread to see a re-posting of them.) - and of course, it's now inevitable that London has now put forward a proposal for a tower in the City - looking very similar to this idea of mine - and it just sums up exactly what I feel really - that anything daring and creative and striking inevitably ends up gracing the Capital's skyline - but never fucking Birmingham, whose motto used to be "Forward" even as recently as the late 1990s. Well, so much for that then eh?...... more likely it's changed to "Backward" now - what a load of crap! The city really should hang its head in shame. It's going nowhere fast. Believe me.

[brum2003]

god take a chill pill, your so negative !!!

this is a master plan ONLY, it means the designs of buildings are indicative, not formalised...as discussed already all citys are made up of mainly solid buildings

this could be the next Brindleyplace....time will tell

[Martin G]

Master plan? Masturbatory plan more like. :lol:

What other flavoured chill pills can you recommend? I'm sick of sucking on these bitter ones for so long. They're fooking crap.

[brum2003]

then stop sucking you idiot

[Martin G]

Can you suggest an alternative then?

Can I bite, chew, crunch them in that case?

[brum2003]

keep sucking, you seem to enjoy yourself whatever you do ;)

[brum2003]

look beyond Arena Central and its obvious undeliverability !!! 13 years and counting

these developers have already had there proposal for Curzon Student Village delayed by the intransigence of McDermiad....but they are still pressing ahead with these plans, on a site which can be flattened very very quickly, its a big shed and the land could be cleared in a very short time

I predict this will be started before we get the revised masterplan for Arena Central, which is beyond a joke and I doubt Miller will pull it off....its a large complicated site and its mixed use makes it more awkward to deliver....judging Birmingham solely on the lack of progress on its least viable scheme is like judging London on the Elephant and castle....its been in planning for just as long !!!

but a look at the reasons for arena centrals long delay, its evident why its never got off the ground yet, its all in these forums, the council have no blame there, apart from stupidity and guilability !!! The original developers played a great game and made a shed load of money, without ever having an intention to build...its happens all the time, all over the country and has been a particualr problem here, its called Landbanking !!! there are lots of sites being 'talked up' by developers so they can increase the value of the land and then sell it on, NO RISK and they make money

The Eastside scheme is easily the most deliverable of the two ? and will get handouts from AWM. Arens Central gets non, time will tell

[Martin G]

But what about the wet fart that is the proposed Post and Mail building (short squat fat ugly fucken box thing instead of a much-wished for landmark structure)?

And the Colmore / Snow Hill / Masshouse Circus tower projects? Not exactly very exciting are they? Manchester/Salford's The Edge scheme is positively inspired by comparison.

I know much of this is dictated by the market for such [mixed use?] commercial ventures but surely some inspirational designs should be called into the equation instead of this perennially self-defeating "will this do?" attitude that I am so sick of seeing prevailing with all Brum projects. Why the hell is it always London that grabs the headlines then? And now, to a lesser extent, even the likes of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool!

[brum2003]

I seem to think those citys would grab the headlines if they farted in a paper bag !!! FACT the media dont exactly rush to print positive storeys about Birmingham

The post and mail is a well designed piece of architecture, it wont set the world alight, but Birmingham needs good quality office space and that is, like it or not to look at....it may not be tall but its not as bad as the crap that is 1 Colmore Square

as i have said before, if anything Birmingham is taking note of the like of CABE and Lord Rogers and avoiding having every large project as landmarks !!!

although i still prefered the post and mail to have stayed

[Martin G]

There you have it.

A classic "curtain wall" office tower of the old "international style" as modelled on Lever House in Manhattan and it didn't even look that dated actually - indeed nothing that a new bit of cladding wouldn't have gone amiss. I mean, the CIS Tower in Manchester (an older building, being opened in 1962!!) is exactly the same sort of style and look at how they've preserved that building's status. To just do away with the P&M just cos it's obsolete (and also the Nat West for the same reason) just smacks of rashness and insensitivity really. Remember they were hellbent on doing the same to the Rotunda cos it too was deemed structurally "life expired"?

Back in the mid 80s, the Brum skyline as it was still looked pretty dynamic for its time (I know this cos I have many photographs taken around that time of the skyline to prove it) cos the P&M had its clock and temperature LED display, and the Rotunda had its wonderful Coca Cola / Arctic Lite neon and another LED Clock on the top....but of course over the last 20 years it's become a lot more shabby as these once proud old icons of 60s/70s architecture have been neglected and left to turn grubby (e.g. Centre City Tower - which used to be WHITE, not brown!). They managed to give Kennedy Tower a facelift to bring it into line with modernity, so why couldn't they have done the same with the P&M building instead of tearing it down?

[Steve-e-b]

....but of course over the last 20 years it's become a lot more shabby as these once proud old icons of 60s/70s architecture have been neglected and left to turn grubby (e.g. Centre City Tower - which used to be WHITE, not brown!).
A very good point that the council and developers need to learn from.
I saw a picture of the central library from when it opening in the 60's and was stunned by its appearance - bright white. I love the design of the building but the grubby state it's in now makes it ugly. All it needs (or needed) was a wash and a brush up!
So this is where developers need to pay attention - new designs may look grand now, but we need buildings that will look grand in years to come. I saw men with a pressure-washer giving Brindley Place a clean the other weekend. We need to make sure there's money set aside to keep all our buildings clean .. look at how the ICC is gathering grime :(

[Martin G]

They (the council) will no doubt probably blame all this discolouration of the city's buildings on the cars and thus find more reason to close all the city's main roads within the (formerly Middle) Ring Road to all through traffic and create more ridiculously garishly tarmac-ed cycle, bus, pram, wheelchair lanes in the process. Stupid City council.

[Accura4Matalan]

pram lanes lol :laugh:

[Dee]

http://www.building.co.uk/Pictures/web/f/r/g/VIEW_1_C(1).jpg


It will be great to see these sub phase masterplans for sections of Eastside, really looking forward to the renderings, it should be very interesting at street level.

[birminghamculture]

http://www.building.co.uk/Pictures/web/f/r/g/VIEW_1_C(1).jpg


It will be great to see these sub phase masterplans for sections of Eastside, really looking forward to the renderings, it should be very interesting at street level.

I could'nt agree more - It will literally be like having a new city adjoined to the old. Apparently 10 high-rise towers are planned for the area aswell.

[pirlo_21]

"Apparently 10 high-rise towers are planned for the area aswell."

well as long as one is 110metre plus happy however if all we get is a bunch of midgets......

[mk61]

The 10-acre site includes 72,000 m2 of office space, 40,000 m2 of mixed residential tenure, a 300-bed hotel and a mix of cafes, restaurants, shops and leisure facilities. The client is Eastside Partnership, the project manager and planning supervisor is Drivers Jonas, the multidisciplinary engineer is Arup and the spatial integration specialist is Space Syntax.

Are those figures correct? Thats 775,000 sq.ft of office space and 430,500 sq.ft of residential space alone, not including the hotel and the rest - 1,205,000 sq.ft minimum on a 435,600 sq.ft site. That'll require some significant midrise development - especially the hotel.

[birminghamculture]

Are those figures correct? Thats 775,000 sq.ft of office space and 430,500 sq.ft of residential space alone, not including the hotel and the rest - 1,205,000 sq.ft minimum on a 435,600 sq.ft site. That'll require some significant midrise development - especially the hotel.

Yep- as you can see every building is roughly 50m tall

[woodhousen]

"Apparently 10 high-rise towers are planned for the area aswell."

well as long as one is 110metre plus happy however if all we get is a bunch of midgets......

what are you talking about lol.......the tallest is 80m at the most lol!

[birminghamculture]

what are you talking about lol.......the tallest is 80m at the most lol!

I wouldnt be so sure about that

[woodhousen]

well concidering i wrote that article.....i am VERY SURE!

[woodhousen]

....lol thats shut you up!

[pirlo_21]

we can live in hope cant we??...............

[birminghamculture]

What article. Oh that article - well, im going on the plans for Tate Tower - I kinow its only a vision, but that vision won an award competiton implemented by the council.

[birminghamculture]

P.S if you wrote the article, whats all this lark with Martineau? hwo many towers and whats the tallest height roughly gonna be?

[woodhousen]

it said, there is a numebr of tower, a mininum of 3 but could be more.....tallest 25 floors but the action plans for the area clearly state any towers shuld be no taller than mclaren!!!!!!!

[pirlo_21]

FUCK MCLAREN TOWER ITS NO SWISS RE, WE NEED TO BUILD SOMETHING TALLER THERE, AS TO DOMINATE MCLAREN, MCLAREN IS JUST A TALL UGHLY BROWN BOX, I WOULD RATHER THEY HAVE GOT RID OF THAT THAN THE POST AND MALL

ALL THIS NONSENSE ABOUT NOT BUILDING ANYTHING TALLER THAN MCLAREN IS JUST STUPID AND A JOKE

[woodhousen]

well mclaren is getting refurmished and the idea is that therwe will be a number of peaks.......in that one very small area you'll have 4 towers at masshouse, 2/3 at city park gates, mclaren, 3 at martineau galleries al at verying height.....shall be a very dense area!

[ROYAL BLUE]

i get excited when i read this web site about all the proposals and new towers planned.
But then i venture off into scc and get deflated a bit. UK developers have very little vision and tiny balls. its so frustrating at times.

[birminghamculture]

Woodhousen - anything at 25 storeys however has to be taller then McClaren? - I agree about this area being very dense however - Extremely dense.

Only 3 at Martineau 15 +20 +25 sounds about right!!!!! I get confused, Is martineau mixed use, or just all retail and residential?

[Biosonic]

From what I undersand there are only 2 towers at Martineau, but I haven't really seen anything in concrete ( :rofl: ) so can't be sure. We'll get a better idea when it goes into planning.

Then there's these other possible 2 towers elsewhere in town. I reckon that will be submitted for planning in the autumn...

[Nacho]

Then there's these other possible 2 towers elsewhere in town. I reckon that will be submitted for planning in the autumn...

Any more info on that Biosonic?

[birminghamculture]

From what I undersand there are only 2 towers at Martineau, but I haven't really seen anything in concrete ( :rofl: ) so can't be sure. We'll get a better idea when it goes into planning.

Then there's these other possible 2 towers elsewhere in town. I reckon that will be submitted for planning in the autumn...


Im just going on what I've read at Skyscraper News - other towers in town? which ones are these, do we already have a rough incline of about them, or are they completely new?

[Biosonic]

Well, I can't really say much as nothing is finalised yet although it should be soon - when we are closer to the date I might be able to find out a little more... the most I could say is that it would be a pair of towers rather than 2 individual ones - much like Martineau Galleries appear to be.

From SSN and SSC they do seem to be completely new. I doubt it if they will be VERY tall, but should be on the scale of Orion or something. That is if they are going ahead of course ;)

[birminghamculture]

Well, I can't really say much as nothing is finalised yet although it should be soon - when we are closer to the date I might be able to find out a little more... the most I could say is that it would be a pair of towers rather than 2 individual ones - much like Martineau Galleries appear to be.

From SSN and SSC they do seem to be completely new. I doubt it if they will be VERY tall, but should be on the scale of Orion or something. That is if they are going ahead of course ;)


Umm - not bad, but could do better - its not Snowhill or anywhere is it?>

[woodhousen]

BIO, so c'mon mate, tell us who u r........... wat u do?

[Biosonic]

Any more info on that Biosonic?

Well, I have a little more info and again, whilst I emphasise that this is a POSSIBLE development and not defo, it looks like we may not get some "decent-sized" towers, the ante has been upped and we are potentially looking at 2 somewhere between Orion and HCT (edit - in terms of height).

I am sure someone will object and there might be problems with overshadowing etc... but we live in hope :)

[Biosonic]

Oh yeah Woody - I work in the construction industry - can't really tell you anymore than that otherwise I would have to cease posting any info I find out....

[birminghamculture]

Umm - thats good news a few more 100m towers would be good, aslogn as the desings are nice - I think its time Birmingham's highrises become a bit more asthetically pleasing to make them stand out in a growing non pinnacle skyline.

[woodhousen]

so two towers between hct and orion.....is this including the john bright street tower / 0rion 2 scheme or are these another two towers?????

if so, this would make that area hugely dense!!!!! nice....but very dense!

[Biosonic]

so two towers between hct and orion.....is this including the john bright street tower / 0rion 2 scheme or are these another two towers?????

if so, this would make that area hugely dense!!!!! nice....but very dense!

:doh:

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. These 2 mystery towers, wherever they are, are between Orion and HCT in terms of height, not physically between Orion and HCT.

Sorry for the confusion! I think I will go and re-edit...

[woodhousen]

oh i see. sounds cool

bio, would it be possible that you send me a private message so i can do my own digging around and see if i can discover something else about these towers. any information you could give me that wont incriminate yourself would b v helpful and i could see if i can get any other info from my sources!

[Nacho]

Sounds interesting!

[Biosonic]

oh i see. sounds cool

bio, would it be possible that you send me a private message so i can do my own digging around and see if i can discover something else about these towers. any information you could give me that wont incriminate yourself would b v helpful and i could see if i can get any other info from my sources!

I think I posted on another thread that I work quite closely with developers and architects so I do get to hear stuff on the jungle drums. I don't want to elaborate too far as some stuff I might allude to may be 'unreleased' info (although if I am told it is commercially sensitive I don't mention it for a while).

I can't tell you any more on these 2 towers yet as it could get someone I know into trouble. But I can say they are in the city centre and bearing in mind their position they are most likely to be landmark buildings, we could be talking somewhere between 25 & 45 storeys. This is all subject to planning permission and the developer agreeing of course, and provided the finance is there etc.

I will pvt you Woody when the info is a bit more viable... :)

And I have just registered with Photobucket so hopefully I'll be able to post a skyline soon! Does anybody remember who posted a good skyline panorama made of a few pics? the thread has gone and I've used a pic that was posted on there... naughty!

[birminghamculture]

I
I can't tell you any more on these 2 towers yet as it could get someone I know into trouble. But I can say they are in the city centre and bearing in mind their position they are most likely to be landmark buildings, we could be talking somewhere between 25 & 45 storeys. This is all subject to planning permission and the developer agreeing of course, and provided the finance is there etc.



Its getting even more interesting - you better not be playing with us Bio ;) :cheers1:

[Biosonic]

I could be playing with myself (as it were) BrumCulture as the info I am getting is from a good source but is at very early stages. The developer may decide to leave the towers out altogether, but all pointers suggest that the developer wants them.

We shall see! ;)

[birminghamculture]

I think in this current stage of activity, towers are on most developers mind especially in inner-city plots. however Im getting bored with Orion sized towers, I want big ones ;) 45 storeys sound promising. why do you raise that number. Is it from the top of your head, or pinched of the grape vine? :cheers:

[Biosonic]

So size impresses you then ;) lol

Tall towers are good, but I prefer a shorter, quality and distinctive one than an uninteresting monster.

The numbers I raised were ones that I believe are in mind - again I would emphasise nothing is confirmed - there could be 2 20-storeys, 2 monsters, 1 tower or none at all, but the 2 towers seem to be favoured... :)

[birminghamculture]

2 towers - Monster ones or smaller ones or 1 of each ;)

You know what at this rate I would settle for a giant City Centre tower in our skyline. we need something distinctive that stands out, at the moment the city looks to flat. everythings the same height.

[ROYAL BLUE]

Nice one Bio! keep us informed. without giving anything away. can you confirm that it isnt one of the other rumored developments on these boards?
It would be a shame if it turned out to be a project we have already heard of, like martinau galleries or Broad Street tower etc. etc.

[brum2003]

thanks Bio, sounds interesting mr, look forward to hearing more x

[Biosonic]

Nice one Bio! keep us informed. without giving anything away. can you confirm that it isnt one of the other rumored developments on these boards?
It would be a shame if it turned out to be a project we have already heard of, like martinau galleries or Broad Street tower etc. etc.

Oh no, Royal Blue, it's nothing that has been mentioned before on here. I do so hope it gets the go-ahead too because I think our cousins in Manchester have been looking down their nose at us for far too long now - but I don't know why - they only have a couple of biggies and dear old BT tower is holding its own ;)

We're not exactly dawdling though now with stuff like Park Central, Broad St Tower, Masshouse and hopefully these fellas on their way. And there's bound to be something at Arena Central...

Do you think it will be a case of hare & tortoise? We're slow off the start but we're in this for the long haul folks. We might not win the 2012 race but come 2020... :hilarious:

PS - has anyone realised just what an impact BST will make on the skyline if it sticks with its planned size? It might be roughly the same height as HCT but the ground on which it sits is considerably higher...

[birminghamculture]

Oh no, Royal Blue, it's nothing that has been mentioned before on here. I do so hope it gets the go-ahead too because I think our cousins in Manchester have been looking down their nose at us for far too long now - but I don't know why - they only have a couple of biggies and dear old BT tower is holding its own ;)

We're not exactly dawdling though now with stuff like Park Central, Broad St Tower, Masshouse and hopefully these fellas on their way. And there's bound to be something at Arena Central...

Do you think it will be a case of hare & tortoise? We're slow off the start but we're in this for the long haul folks. We might not win the 2012 race but come 2020... :hilarious:

PS - has anyone realised just what an impact BST will make on the skyline if it sticks with its planned size? It might be roughly the same height as HCT but the ground on which it sits is considerably higher...

Yeh mate, we discussed that ... BST will act as a 150m monster :runaway:

P.S You're getting us all very excited with this news. I hope you're not taking us all for rides and then drop us while you go back to your homeland of Manchester with a 45 storey giant for there ever growning skyline ;)

[birminghamculture]

Oh yeh and also I hope it doesnt take until 2020 for anything to be built on this site of yours :hahaha: :cheers:

[birminghamculture]

Sorry about this, but just another small question - when is the likelyhood that something will be proposed? or until you can tell us more concrete stuff? :cheers1:

[Biosonic]

Yeh mate, we discussed that ... BST will act as a 150m monster :runaway:

P.S You're getting us all very excited with this news. I hope you're not taking us all for rides and then drop us while you go back to your homeland of Manchester with a 45 storey giant for there ever growning skyline ;)

Believe me, I am quite excited about this news too! Just hope it bears fruit! And don't worry - Birmingham is my homeland. Only ever been through Manchester (but will be visiting friends there soon) and it rained every time! :hahaha:

Sorry about this, but just another small question - when is the likelyhood that something will be proposed? or until you can tell us more concrete stuff?

Well, it might seem a long time, but I expect something to be announced before the end of the year. Like I say though, it might not be towers, but they are favoured.

Oh yeh and also I hope it doesnt take until 2020 for anything to be built on this site of yours

:hahaha: I wish it was my site!! It should be done a good while before then... and probably before Arena Central!! Should put the pressure on to make Arena Central taller though! :cheers1:

[birminghamculture]

Thats great news - thanks - fingers crossed huh. Nice little hints that the tower being discussed will be much taller then HCT and BST then. woo hoo :cheers1:

[brum2003]

I wander if its its the rest of the Post & Mail site, nah, I am trying to guess where this site is, many fit the bill, possibly Ludgate, as when you said there would be objections, this instantly sprung to mind, and its had very tall proposals in the early nineties.....and the residents will def complain about anything thats proposed there !!!

I know you cant say Bio, but have to have a guess x

[woodhousen]

..... could be snow hill area????????

yup, i can see where your coming from with theludgate idea and the objections........!

maybe some more towards the southern/bristol road gateway, with all the new apartments going up there, they wont be happy if a tower was being built!

[birminghamculture]

Umm - what about the car park and alexandra theatre next to West 2 and HCT - 2 towers could fit in there, and would look stunning ;) (wishful thinking)

[Richoftheb]

Could be the old Mathew Boulton site on Bristol Road...

[U475 Foxtrot]

...or the site of car park between the front of the Mailbox and Medusa

[pirlo_21]

Following a thorough review of it operation<Birmingham cabinet has approved the plan for changes to the bus mall. these include

-the proviosion of a traffic controlled junction between albert street enabling a second acess to MArtinaue galleries II as well as retained acess via Dale End.
The second access will be replacing the original proposal to construct a tunnel from Park Street under the City Park gate development reducing the risk of increased car traffic, bus flows or high pedestrian crossing demand in the future.

[mk61]

...or the site of car park between the front of the Mailbox and Medusa

*whistles* now there's an idea :yes:

[birminghamculture]

we always knew that, but still good news :cheers:

[U475 Foxtrot]

*whistles* now there's an idea :yes:

do you remember that one?

[mk61]

Remember what? That big gap? Yep - I hope your guess is right and this is the site of Biosonic's mysterious development. It needs filling with something other than a pay and display carpark.

[Smileyface]

This seemed as good a thread as any to post these on, the waste ground and shitty car parks around the BT Tower and Ludgate
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%204/Ludgate7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%204/Ludgate5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%204/Ludgate4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%204/Ludgate1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%204/Ludgate3.jpg

[birminghamculture]

Great pictures, whatever's built here will have to be HUGE!!!!!!!!!!

[Martin G]

That site has been so dire for ages. It's crying out for some radical buildings.
Plus the fact that the ground slopes sharply upwards towards Paradise Circus means that what developments eventually rise there will have some considerable impact when seen from a distance. The switchback-like topography of this Great Charles Street part of the old ringway lends itself to some extremely interesting angles from which to view the architectural skyline, but I have this suspicion that yet again such a potentially dramatic setting will be wasted on yet more mediocre mid-rise dwarf-sized fuckers.

Boring! Boring! Boring!

[ROYAL BLUE]

need to get some weed killer on the railway arches lol.

[pirlo_21]

anymore news on the masterplan?? renderings??

[brum2003]

there was a crane...a very small black portable one on the site of the curzon park today ? any ideas....its not on the student village site, but the old parcel force site, maybe they are starting to clear the land !!!

[woodhousen]

....well the site has been empty for a while....as have the castle cement works!

[pirlo_21]

hopefully there starting this soon!!

[pirlo_21]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/pirlo_21/untitled.jpg

[pirlo_21]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/pirlo_21/untitled2.jpg

[pirlo_21]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/pirlo_21/cv.jpg

[birminghamculture]

Yep thats the eastside? City Park Gate? although everything's changed immensly and Curzon Park is nearer the top of Eastside.

[woodhousen]

yeah but pirlo, you should no nothing like that is ever being built!

[birminghamculture]

yeah but pirlo, you should no nothing like that is ever being built!

Yep, Birmingham doesnt do crud anymore, its gonna be 10 times better ;)

[Biosonic]

This is the Rogers' design for the plot of land between Masshouse and Selfridges...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/Biosonic/a44f379b.jpg

[ROYAL BLUE]

I thought this was the project on hold because of the chemical works going to the high court.

[birminghamculture]

I thought this was the project on hold because of the chemical works going to the high court.

Nope, I dont think this was the scheme, it was university lettings that were involved. This is Rogers, City Park Gate scheme, which is rumoured to be increasing in height from 14 storeys to 23 according to Woodhousen.

[ROYAL BLUE]

ah gottcha! is there an up-to-date website for the project?

[woodhousen]

it was the warwick bar and curzon street schemes that were in doubt with the problems at the chemical factory.

yes this is the scheme that applied to be increased in height...however, in not sure what the outcome was.

i cant for the life of me remember who found the pdf file on the birmingham council website........maybe one of you could help me clarafy this?!?!?!?

[pirlo_21]

i never said it was gonna be built, it was more to give an impression of the size of this place,

[pirlo_21]

any news?

[birminghamculture]

From this picture the scheme indicates dozens of 10+ storey blocks and a 2-3 15+ storey blocks with one middle main tower about 20 storeys tall.

Alot of water aswell.

http://www.hamiltonassociates.co.uk/flash/

[woodhousen]

good find

[U475 Foxtrot]

yes, brilliant find BC :)

http://tinypic.com/hvxt06.jpg

with this, the Kenetic plan and the murmerings of an expo out the back of MP we had last month, it looks like big things are going to happen. All we need to see now is the section between Moor Street and newly reinstated Eastside Library (crossed fingers).

I love this city. I go away for a weekend and come back to Allegos and this :) :) :) Just need to wait 10 years for it to be built now

love the Axis through the middle of Millenium Point and the space outside turned into the park and the canal extension :)

[Confused Philosopher]

Looks very promising, I checked out the site and it looks like they do some pretty decent work. I thought the Valencia Football Stadium and the Oxford Science Park are nice. High quality, even if they don't really have highrise projects.

The layout was annoying.

[woodhousen]

well atleast we know that the rendering is uptodate as it has the current masshouse and CPG in the proposals......

looks nice and dense!

[Usherling]

WOW.. Stunning render... Shows how huge this project really is... Masshouse is in the works... You have Milleniam Point done.. M.B.C finished.. That new boxy collage thingy ma bobby next to it... lol.... At soon you will have Rogers Libary.. What an area this will be... Selfrediges in the skyline.. Lights beaming from the Rotunda.. The streams trickling on this masterplan.. I can't wait... Hopefuly this will go ahead..

Fingers Crossed.

[morestoreysplease]

Just noticed that the canal is to be extended up in this area!! Nice one! I love waterside buildings. Let's get the old Royal Mail sheds flattened double quick and get this moving!

[Usherling]

Oh Yeah... Beautiful... I also love waterfront buildings... It will add more flare...
So Birmingham's very complex and huge canal system is ever growing

[birminghamculture]

The canal extention is a great idea, we all know we have more canals then Venice already and I really think this sort of thing could make Birmingham a world famous city. This, Brindley Place, Warwick Bar, River Rea etc we have to use this to our advantage.

Anyway, Tate Tower site highlighted in blue.

http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/4060/hvxt067um.jpg

[Bachy Soletanche]

Where's the library on the render? I'm sure I've just missed it?

Anyway, I want the Tate tower!

[jolon]

Where's the library on the render? I'm sure I've just missed it?

Anyway, I want the Tate tower!

It doesn't seem the Rogers library is on that render. It would be where those two curved buildings are next to masshouse and city park gate.

[woodhousen]

guys, really, dont get ur hopes up too much on the tate tower!

[Dee]

Have to say its been a bit disappointing in the second half of this year, fair enough the first six months there was a lot of info on existing and new developments but it has been completely dead when we should have had more information on developments like Arena Central, City Park Gate, Snowhill, Fiveways etc.

Even though its only a massing model render, that drawing of the first few phases of Eastside looks great, gives a great indication of scale when the different phases are 1 million sq ft plus masterplans!!!!

[Dee]

This masterplan drawing for Curzon Park has been added recently to the Hamilton Associates website.

Looks like the Library site will be replaced with another mixed use scheme

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid208/p02852844f36f105c5a52d3506a7d91cb/ee5fe437.jpg

[SimLim]

I posted something yesterday in the Birmingham Development Summary thread which suggested a £300m - 1m sqft mixed use development next to City Park Gate - e.g Library Site.

[FLD]

This masterplan drawing for Curzon Park has been added recently to the Hamilton Associates website.

Looks like the Library site will be replaced with another mixed use scheme

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid208/p02852844f36f105c5a52d3506a7d91cb/ee5fe437.jpg

There's going to be a tower to the far right of this plan, which I think will look 'stuck out on a limb' a bit because it is a distance from the main city core.

[SimLim]

FLD how tall is the tower? The Curzon Park masterplan has some substantial blocks plus the Pinnacle is close by.

[FLD]

From what I remember, it looked as if it could be 30 storeys or so? It may be on the Birmingham city council web site somewhere.

[FLD]

Actually, looking at this plan again, it won't be too far from the Pinnacle.

[pirlo_21]

looked much better with the libary in

[SimLim]

From what I remember, it looked as if it could be 30 storeys or so? It may be on the Birmingham city council web site somewhere.

You mean the slanting eco tower?

[SimonTheSoundMan]

looked much better with the libary in
:yes:

[SimLim]

How do you know? they are blocked aerials. Ground level me thinks you'll be surprised.

[MJH]

I looked at BCC website at their Park copetition stuff and the timscale is posted as follows:

OJEU notice placed
22 March 2006


Final date for submission of expressions of interest
5 May 2006


Assessment of submissions complete
26 May 2006


Shortlist interviews
5–9 June 2006


Successful design team announced
mid June 2006


Erm its mid june now isn't it? :dunno:

[SimonTheSoundMan]

MP had a stand on floor G0 last month and they were very enthusiastic about Eastside development going ahead as previously.

[morestoreysplease]

[IMG]http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/5513/ee5fe437011gd.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ee5fe437011gd.jpg)

The Pinnacle and the Garden Tower?

[Erebus555]

Last I heard, the library plans had been shelved... Or is this just some mumbo jumbo that just started up out of nothing?

[Fusionist]

I know it is way too late and hece pointless, but does anyone else think the City Park starts from the middle of nowhere. I thought it would have made more sense if it reached Moor St Queensway rather than turning south towards th ecity end. THis way it would have given a long view of the city centre and linked the eastside better. long perspectives is something which the city lacks. Also the part where the park meets the city centre is a good place for a tall landmark monument.. somethig like Lord Nelson at Trafalgar Sq

[stourbridgebaggie]

well i know they are boxing up records at the library and books but there only being boxed up with the intent they will move out sometime in the next 5 years and not entirely sure where!

[Erebus555]

maybe it is still up and running. I hope so because it was a great design and it would definitly put the wind up Manchester's skirt.

[woodhousen]

if you guys are talking about the old sloping roof eco tower, then it will be off this plan. the eco tower was planned for the castle cement works site....at the junction of curzon st with the middle ring road...... this plot is off that map..other side of the canal!

btw, the most recent plans of this was for a quarter circle stepping tower..... stepping up to 25 floors! dont know if its still about tho

[Biosonic]

Thanks for the find Dee - most interesting :)

I think we can say goodbye to the Rogers library, but the council do appear to be doing a bit of a climbdown. The Post reports that they are considering locating the 2 parts together, or near to one another (the archives have been suggested to go to the TSB Bank on Broad St).

[woodhousen]

i know.... a total balls up if you ask me....301 broad st should not be a library ....damn civic society.

[mahill]

i know.... a total balls up if you ask me....301 broad st should not be a library ....damn civic society.

Agree it's a total balls-up, in fact that's a polite way to describe it. A single-site library at Eastside would still be my preferred option.

However, having been inside 301 Broad St recently, I think the magnificent central banking hall has some potential to be a kind of mini-Reading Room at the British Museum. There's a warren of rooms behind it and in the basement which I imagine could be full of floor to celing shelves of records, archives and dusty tomes. These could be brought up to the banking hall as required. I think it could work.

[woodhousen]

but this should be a building enjoyed by all, it would make a great restaurant i think

[mahill]

but this should be a building enjoyed by all, it would make a great restaurant i think

I know what you mean, but it's too big for a restaurant I think, and the rent on the building would be too much, I can't see how anyone could make a profit. Given it's been purchased by the council I think that unless it's used as a museum, art gallery or library, it'll be used as council offices, and that would be a waste.

[MJH]

Agree it's a total balls-up, in fact that's a polite way to describe it. A single-site library at Eastside would still be my preferred option.

However, having been inside 301 Broad St recently, I think the magnificent central banking hall has some potential to be a kind of mini-Reading Room at the British Museum. There's a warren of rooms behind it and in the basement which I imagine could be full of floor to celing shelves of records, archives and dusty tomes. These could be brought up to the banking hall as required. I think it could work.

Have you ever seen a modern Local authority revamp of a listed interior, generally the strategy seems to be, "rip it all out and put in something really really bland, afterall grand reading rooms are the vestige of an extravagent bourgoisie not our beautiful socailist state" Look at the inside of Louise Ryland House, or the School of Art, or the the BMI, or Inge House, or any of the City owned properties on Corporation Street, the list goes on...

I would be inclined to say piss off and buy something new rather than ruining another great piece of Birmingham Heritage

[woodhousen]

exactly MJH

it is for this reason i was also aginst baskerville house too...

[Spread]

Another article from Property Week:

Grainger reveals £350m Birmingham plans

Grainger Trust and Development Securities has revealed plans for a £350m 1.4m sq ft (130,063 sq m) mixed-use development on the 10-acre Curzon Park site in Birmingham.


24.11.2006

By Sinead Cruise

The partners, who have acquired the site from the Eastside Partnership for £33.5m, plan to develop 800,000 sq ft of office accommodation, 400,000 sq ft of residential accommodation, a 180-bedroom hotel and 30,000 sq ft of retail space.

A planning application for the scheme, which has an estimated construction cost of £12m, is due to be submitted shortly. Development Securities will project manage the planning, infrastructure and commercial phases with Grainger project managing the residential component.

News of the proposed development coincided with DevSecs' announcement that it had raised approximately £23.1m by way of a Placing of 3.7 million new Ordinary Shares at 625p each. The proceeds for the placing will be used to help finance DevSecs' participation in the Curzon Park project.

DevSecs and Grainger hope that outline planning consent for Curzon Park should be obtained by summer 2007 and that construction will start on site in late 2007/early 2008. The overall development programme is expected to take up to eight years.

Grainger Trust and Development Securities were advised by CBRE and the Eastside

Partnership was advised by Strutt & Parker and Savills.

[Erebus555]

Eight years!?! That is ages. We might actually see Arena Central finished by the time this is finished.

[SimLim]

we've known this for a while.

[Erebus555]

You can tell by the date.

[SimLim]

Or because it was actually posted over a month ago. Catch up spread ;)

[Spread]

I must admit I couldn't remember whether I had seen this article before so I posted it just in case.

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Eight years!?! That is ages. We might actually see Arena Central finished by the time this is finished.
Taking as long as Masshouse.

[Biosonic]

It's not a surprise really - the developers won't take a gamble with such a large amount of money so they will either borrow or invest, say £50m, then build the first phase, and use the money generated by that to pay for the second phase.

I just want it to get underway, then I'll be happy :)

[blahblah]

Went past the old cement works site yesterday on the train. It looks like they are putting some roads on the site. There is a curved strip of tarmac leading from the main road where the park will be, and a long straigh strip of flat grey material leading to the railway line which splits the site in two.

[Erebus555]

Sounds like they are splitting the site into the part for the student flats and then the private flats. By the way, what you are talking about is the Curzon Gate development.

[Biosonic]

Just a reminder that according to Grainger, they are due to submit a planning application this summer, with infrastructure works commencing early 2008 and take 6-8 years. :)

[Zabz]

BCC has got a consultation period for Eastside til 7 May 2007.

The link is http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=101497&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=0

You can fill in ideas for regeneration to be based in Eastside (like having the new Library there!).

[Flogging Molly]

Um ... if anyone cares to make it and see the outline plans then please do. Be interested how high these high-rises are!

[mikey23]

Are there any height limits on this piece of land?

[Erebus555]

There's always height limits, but it is off the ridge so we could get a substantially bigger tower here than we could on say, the BST site. But the fact it's off the ridge means that the council will not be too happy as they want the vast majority of towers to be ON the ridge to create an impressive skyline emphasised by the increased elevation.

[Erebus555]

So the outline planning app has been submitted. Planning application number: C/04646/07/OUT

Application number: C/04646/07/OUT

Date application received: 27/07/2007
Date application registered: 27/07/2007

Status: Awaiting PP/Cons Exp

Location: Curzon Park, Land At Curzon Street, City, Birmingham,

Proposal:

Outline planning application (all matters reserved except for access) for a mixed-use development of up to 130,000sqm (GEA) comprising offices (use class B1), residential (use class C3), Hotel (use class C1), retail (use classes A1, A2, A3, A4), medical centre (use class D1), and leisure use (use class D2) with associated car parking, servicing, and public realm

Applicant name and address:

Curzon Park Limited
c/o CB Richard Ellis

Agent name and address:

CB Richard Ellis
4th Floor Cornwall Court
19 Cornwall Street
Birmingham
B3 2DT

Council decision: Under consideration
Decision date: N/A

Consultation details

Start date: 27/07/2007

End date: 05/09/2007

Some details from the planning app.

Summary:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/summary.png

Section 106:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/s106.png

Money:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/moneys.png

Masterplan (sorry for the poor quality):
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Sitemasterplan.png

Site access:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Siteaccessplan.png

Eastside developments:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/eastside.png

[Biosonic]

Blimey - thanks Erebus. That last one really puts things into perspective.

The Plot 7 has some real potential - especially if an exotic tall building were placed there. It woul draw people past Curzon St Stn and help busify the area.

[Erebus555]

You can also see that a lot of the developments are based on the Oxford model - a building or two with a central courtyard. I didn't realise Rea Village was so fooking massive either! :eek:

[Shel]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/eastside.png

A small point but surely no.2 on the key should be City Park and no.3 should be Millennium Point?:nuts:

[ILLOGIKAL]

Good news! The shape of the buildings certainly look interesting. No boring blocks..... Birmingham again going for the funky shape and angles, gonna be a very unique looking city in a few years!:banana:

Will there be any massing renders or images with the application?

I had a look but couldn't find any. Would be good to see what ideas they've got for the site even if it is only indicative!

[Erebus555]

Give it a few more days and I think they will crop up on there.

[ILLOGIKAL]

Thanks Erebus! I'm glad we'll get to see something. I've been really anticipating this development. With it being right next to the new park, i've always thought this development will make or break eastside!

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Site isn't too big, 1.4m sq feet, anyone a guess at what height some of these buildings may be?

70-80m?

[mikey23]

I think Woody said about 50m

[feltip]

Here is another pic but in colour that highlights the new park better.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/colcurzon.jpg


The more I look with the road in front of units the more im scared it will be like an out of town retail park. I know people have to get there but also a brindley place esque style might have been better with a road nearby and pedestrian streets where cars can come down if need be. :?

[mk61]

Looking at that, that may be the intention. The Southern plots have their own integral vehicular access and there's Curzon street for the northern row. The little spine road does seem odd, but it may be no fluke that it's been coloured the same as the public areas around the buildings. Accessible to vehicles in the same way that New St or the High St are.

[Erebus555]

^^I think the fact the road is coloured the same as the pedestrian bits is just to show the area that is on. The green bits are rooftop gardens.

[ShavenHeaden]

The road on the middle way (being called The Crescent) is just for access to residential underground parking (might also include the offices too) and I think dropping off at the hotel etc. The app says pedestrians will have priority.

There are two multi storey car parks (not sure which buildings) on the southern edge for other parking etc (can't remember if office parking goes in these or if it gets underground - residential however is definitely underground)

[Erebus555]

This shows the road and parking arrangements:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Siteaccessplan.png

[Flogging Molly]

All office blocks will be between 5 and 12 storeys. Possible Hotel/Resi tower will be 15. So good density if not great height. The scheme itself looks fantastic. The amphitheatre is what I enjoy most from the scheme and I love how its going to bring the people of Brum together. Another 900,000sqft of offices aswell. Always helps.

Shame its going to be phased like Masshouse though :(

[brum2003]

lets hope they keep keep the multi storey carparks away from the old station

[mk61]

Massing

http://i9.tinypic.com/645lrb8.jpg

Use Distibution

http://i10.tinypic.com/6gtzyg5.jpg

[mk61]

The residential buildings can be seen to be stepping back from the park - could look very cool. Also it's clear that nothing very tall is intended for the corner plot.

[dreamtime]

I still think its as skinny as hell and althouhg its better than nothing it will never define the word park to me, for me a nice park is a big open space while still been beautiful also.

[mk61]

The park as intended will have a tremendously positive impact on the site - more so as the density grows around it. I'd call it a park, skinny or not.

[Flogging Molly]

The tallest building will be 15 storeys max.

[Biosonic]

Apart from Plot 7 maybe :)

[Flogging Molly]

Nope.

[Biosonic]

I am sure I read somewhere in the planning stuff that one of the options for Plot 7 is for a tall(er) building.

[woodhousen]

but i think taller means about 10 floors!

[Bachy Soletanche]

I've had a look at the massing, the effect it'll have on the park and the relationship with the existing and potential plans, and

meh.

[woodhousen]

LOL

[Bachy Soletanche]

I can see the next set of designes looking like this:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14809805&postcount=229

which would make it a double meh from myself.

[mk61]

I remain quietly optimistic. At the risk of a mish-mash, I hope we see some real variety in the final designs of all the plots.

[Flogging Molly]

Think we will all be pleasently suprised.

[brum2003]

I remain quietly optimistic. At the risk of a mish-mash, I hope we see some real variety in the final designs of all the plots.

is there an anticipated start date ?

[woodhousen]

well u guys can go down to planing at anytime you want to have a look. ive already seen the pictures and im happy enough

[dreamtime]

Well anyone can rightly justify a park how they want it to be. Matching buildings around it & wat not and been mixed use but myself and maybe millions more must adore to have a big open park also im sure they are the most nicest parks.

Are there any nature lover sin here?????
Im sure optimism is sometimes mixed in with maybe biast?

[Biosonic]

I agree mark - it would be nice to have a huge open park, but the land is just too valuable.

NYC has one because they had the foresight, the money, and it is a huge city.

London has them because they used to be private Royal hunting parks.

No other British city has a large city centre park AFAIK.

[Flogging Molly]

Not planned with significant complexes like this but you could say the likes of Nottingham, Bristol and Sheffield more or less dont need them due to thier vast array of green spaces within thier city.

[smysticed]

Well, we have our huge areas of greenery, it's just that they're not in the centre, kind of obviously. There's really nowhere you could put a huge central park in Brum without outweighing the benefits by destroying other things IMHO.

[mikey23]

well u guys can go down to planing at anytime you want to have a look. ive already seen the pictures and im happy enough

Where do you have to go to see them?

[Erebus555]

Alpha Tower. Not sure which floor, you'll probably have to ask.

[Flogging Molly]

Eastside plans up for approvalAug 30 2007



Plans to redevelop a run-down part of Birmingham's Eastside district have been submitted to the city council.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icbirmingham/aug2007/3/3/B655A795-FDB4-81ED-2B7FA5FED9B0C622.jpg


The £350 million proposals will see the transformation of the former Parcelforce depot, near Millennium Point, into offices, homes and a hotel.

The scheme will also aim to extend the city centre's entertainment district with the building of new restaurants and bars. The developers behind the 1.4 million sq ft project, Curzon Park, submitted an outline plan of the scheme following a round of public and stakeholder consultation.

Andrew Scrivener, a director of Grainger plc which is behind the venture, said: "There was a huge amount of support for the proposal with people welcoming it as a major step forward on the process of regenerating Eastside.

"I hope that people will welcome the fact that we have now submitted an outline application for this important and strategic site."

The developers aim to use cash generated through the project to improve the historic Curzon Street Station.




Story continues

ADVERTISEMENT


It is also hoped 7,000 jobs will be created by the scheme, which includes a 160 bedroom hotel and 500 city living apartments.


The development, on a 10.5 acre site bordering the main railway line, will form a spectacular gateway to a new City Park.


But the executive director of planning consultants CB Richard Ellis, Stuart Robinson, said the proposals for City Park may need to be amended to cater for more pedestrian links at the development.


He said: "We are conscious that the City Park scheme has been submitted for approval in outline.


"Whilst we support this in principle, working on the basis of good pedestrian links between our site and Millennium Point, we would expect the links to integrate with the rest of Eastside.


"The lack of connection is particularly true in terms of linking Millennium Point with Curzon Street Station, arguably the two most important buildings in Eastside.


"In our experience, regeneration is all about the integration of an area's attractions and animating public space by creating interaction between the various activities in an area. Whilst we find that there is much to commend in the current design of the proposed City Park, the design needs to address this issue of integration more fully."


Land occupied by the vacant depot is regarded by the council as particularly sensitive since it is seen by thousands of people each day entering and leaving New Street.


It is also the biggest single undeveloped area remaining in Eastside, although substantially smaller than the wholesale markets site expected to be up for redevelopment in the next five years.


Andrew Bowe, from CB Richard Ellis's Birmingham office, said: "We are proposing a mixed use scheme but it is only at the early stage at the moment so it is as flexible as we can make it. We have not worked in every detail."

[Erebus555]

The office buildings look taller than the residential! I reckon that's around 15 storeys for the office by the looks of that sketch. Thanks for that! :happy:

[Brummyboy92]

We could have another Broad street on our hands, woo hoo. And that render is fantastic. one problem where is VTP on that render.

[Erebus555]

Those are just massings. VTP isn't even a cert - no planning app has bene submitted.

[Brummyboy92]

Oh I hope it gets built.

[Biosonic]

VTP wouldn't necessarily be on there as it is by a different developer, and we don't know what it will look like :)

Calm down Brummyboy!

[woodhousen]

saw this in the paper today and i have to admit i can understand the fears of ped links.... this big enclosed arc isnt permeable at all.....

however now isthe time to comment on the outline and the bigger picture if u dont like something!!!

[NeilM]

Just a thought, but is it possible as Broad Street is changing to a more restaurant/bar area than a club/bar area, will Curzon Park became a new Broad Street when it is built, especially with the unis and colleges around the area?

[Erebus555]

Curzon Park is much smaller though. I doubt it would develop into some sort of Broad Street at all but it certainly will have some vibrancy to it.

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Maybe on the other side of the rail line, leading up to Arcadian.

[morestoreysplease]

I agree mark - it would be nice to have a huge open park, but the land is just too valuable.

NYC has one because they had the foresight, the money, and it is a huge city.

London has them because they used to be private Royal hunting parks.

No other British city has a large city centre park AFAIK.

I think Bournemouth has a large city centre park Bio, but I think it's a bit like Cannon Hill not like what we're going to get.

[mk61]

It's interesting to note how the 'Eastside' district is now an accepted area all of its own right. I imagine the term started out as an umbrella title for the push to redevelop this area. Now the press are referring to it as Eastside like it's been there since Simon de Bermingham threw up a tent next to the Rea.

Give something a name and you make it real.

[smysticed]

Well, I think that was kind of inevitable, as the city centre expands, the new quarters and districts created need names. And as a whole new city centre area starts to appear, being referred to as Eastside by the council and press, people will just come to know it as that.

[NeilM]

It's interesting to note how the 'Eastside' district is now an accepted area all of its own right. I imagine the term started out as an umbrella title for the push to redevelop this area. Now the press are referring to it as Eastside like it's been there since Simon de Bermingham threw up a tent next to the Rea.

Give something a name and you make it real.

Funnily enough I was wondering what the name(s) of the area(s) were before the Eastside name appeared.

Does anyone have any idea what they were?

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Deritend, Dale End towards the city centre where Masshouse and CPG will be.

[feltip]

Vauxhall up by Duddeston station. Might be good excuse to save some names before they die out. Vauxhall almost disappeared.

Its really funky as it always reminds me of Glasgow with its West End and also London with its West and East ends and we have Eastside and I guess Westside although we tend not to say that.

[morestoreysplease]

I think our developers are trying to keep the music of Tupac and Biggy Smalls alive and kicking.

[fruit&nut]

I'm happy with Eastside, as long as the old areas maintain their identity.

In the same way as "the East End" of London is recognised as an area, but Bow, Bethnal Green, Stratford etc are all still used and known discreet areas. Guv!

[SimonTheSoundMan]

They were piling into the ground yesterday at Curzon Park site. Guess they were doing a survey of the ground.

[fruit&nut]

They were piling into the ground yesterday at Curzon Park site. Guess they were doing a survey of the ground.

Yes I guess they'll be drilling some cores so that the Geotech guys can do their stuff and then the structural wallors can do some piling calcs...

....but not actually piling yet!

[Splop]

And what happened to the railway station I heard was going to be built there (from over a dozen sources mind)?

[fruit&nut]

And what happened to the railway station I heard was going to be built there (from over a dozen sources mind)?

It met the same fate as an other rail project in Birmingham.

Follow the simple equation:

Rail Project + Birmingham = No Money so **** Off!

[Erebus555]

CABE design review comments

Curzon Park
Review date: 19 October 2007
Lead designer: Hamiltons Associates Architects
Client: Development Securities and CB Richard Ellis
Local authority: Birmingham City Council
Location: Curzon Street, Eastside, Birmingham
Region: West Midlands

Description: Masterplan for the 10-acre former Parcelforce site.

http://www.cabe.org.uk/AssetLibrary/10687.jpg
----
Summary

The principal of mixed use development, the general use distribution and proposed quantum seems acceptable on this site. Whilst many of the urban design intentions are sound, we do not think that the proposed site layout is fully representative of those initial ideas. Key components like movement routes, public realm and built form do not yet come together to successfully integrate into this part of the city. We feel that at outline planning application stage the emerging site diagram should be more normative and strategic; giving indication of urban blocks rather than prescribing building form. This would allow for diversity in architectural response when individual parts of the site came forward in more detail.

Connections

This is a key project for Birmingham with the potential to unlock the Eastside area. Its location next to the main rail line makes it, for many, the gateway into the city. The site is undoubtedly complex and we note the difficulty of working in an area where so much change is occurring, and where the status of the neighbouring sites is uncertain. Whilst we can see that benefits are to be derived from the city-wide space syntax diagrams, we are not convinced that these have been translated effectively to connect the site into local or global movement networks. The logic of the site diagram remains confined to the boundaries of the site and may lead to an isolated and introverted development.
The central crescent route through the site runs between the main entrance on Curzon Street and the listed station building, and as a concept this is sound. However, it is unfortunate that the links to this main route are still unresolved and there seems to be a conflict between the strong crescent and how it connects to the wider city. For example, we question the legibility of the suggested routes to Aston University area and the town centre especially as many of them seem to go through minor roads and buildings.

Site diagram

The overall site diagram is an intuitive response to the context and changing neighbouring environment. The distribution of uses, with residential facing the park and offices along the railway corridor seems sound. However, we wonder if the uses at the ‘nose,’ along the canal, should be better considered and responsive to the neighbouring uses, i.e. student accommodation and the uses at Millennium Point.

We are pleased to see that the basic organisation explores the relationship of the proposed buildings on this site and the proposed linear city park on Millennium Point site. The strategy to maintain visual links with this valuable amenity from all parts of the site is a good one. However, the resolution of the edges requires further work.

Whilst the proposed geometry is very strong, it has determined a rigid and inflexible layout of buildings and to some extent even prescribed their forms. We have reservations about the emerging site plan as it seems to be a series of regimented, object buildings, which appear unrelated to the public realm. The gaps in the frontage along Curzon Street have resulted in a weak edge on Curzon Street. Conversely, the buildings along the railway corridor are joined on the ground floor to make a continuous building edge giving the appearance of one mega block. As an urban block this too is inflexible and if it were established at this early stage it may lead to conflicts, in terms of design and ownership, as individual developers come forward for each site. Whilst the overall quantum and height seems fine, we feel that a fundamental rethink is required in the proposed massing distribution and block sizes to make this site a realistic part of the city’s urban grain.

As a general point, we would like to highlight that the south edge of the office buildings and multi-storey car parks will be, for many, the first impression of Birmingham and as such they should be of equally high quality as the fronts.

Public Realm

We are not yet convinced that the proposed public realm is robust enough to support a development of this scale and wonder what is the main public benefit to be derived from this scheme. Whilst the crescent is a strong structuring element, its purpose seems to be limited to vehicular use within the site, which will feel like a route within a private business park. Will members of the wider community use this street while walking, say, from the student accommodation to the town centre? We suggest that, in order to test the usability of all the spaces within the scheme, narratives of use should be applied to consider who will use each space at different times of the day and for what purpose, and the results used to inform further design development.

Sustainability

The scale of this development and the mix of uses proposed suggest that this development should set high standards in terms of energy efficiency and environmental design. This is not yet evident in the material presented for review. The use of Combined Heat and Power should be investigated and if found viable, this aspiration should be factored into the masterplan. Comprehensive redevelopment of the site creates an opportunity to put in place such infrastructure, which is far more difficult to retrofit. We would encourage the local authority to set targets for renewable energy supply at the outline application stage.

Conclusion

Whilst we think that this project makes some promising basic moves, more work needs to be done on two dimensional strategic connections and three dimensional massing to ensure that Curzon Park feels like a sustainable piece of the city and not just a business park. The proposed masterplan does not yet establish a robust enough framework to inform the design development of future projects. As it stands we cannot support this outline planning application.

[Nacho]

The sentence below caught my eye ; I hope the 'backs' are of a high standard.As pointed out,thousands of people will see these buildings as they enter the city.They will provide an important first impression.


"As a general point, we would like to highlight that the south edge of the office buildings and multi-storey car parks will be, for many, the first impression of Birmingham and as such they should be of equally high quality as the fronts."

[woodhousen]

its a nice report... i agree with them!

[Erebus555]

Some pictures from the MIPIM site:
http://www.birminghammipim.co.uk/images/dev/securities4.jpg
http://www.birminghammipim.co.uk/images/dev/securities1.jpg
http://www.birminghammipim.co.uk/images/dev/securities2.jpg

When completed, Curzon Park will consist of 130,000 sq m (1.4 million sq ft) of office, hotel and residential space on a 4 hectare (10 acre) site that was acquired by Development Securities in December 2006 for £33.5 million. Since then, the joint venture has worked closely with Birmingham City Council to develop the masterplan design on a collaborative basis.

Strong emphasis has been placed on high quality design and environmental sustainability. Design codes for individual buildings will incorporate low energy design solutions, sustainable drainage and green roofs.

Phase 1 of Curzon Park is due to commence this autumn and will include 28,000 sq m (300,000 sq ft) of mixed-use development. The end development value of the scheme will be in excess of £350 million.

[Brummyboy92]

Thanks for that erbuss, its nice to refresh our minds

[feltip]

Fresh from Property Week + new image of Eastside


Dev Secs and Grainger win Birmingham consent
16:43 | 05.06.08

By Jonathan Brasse

Development Securities and Grainger have won outline planning consent for a large mixed-use development in Birmingham.



Through their joint venture Curzon Park, the partners’ plans for a 1.4m sq ft office, residential, hotel and leisure development in the city’s eastside area, have been given the Green light by Birmingham City Council.

http://www.propertyweek.com/Pictures/460xAny/u/i/p/Curzon8.jpg

The scheme will be developed on a 10.5 acre site and work will start towards the end of this year.

The first phase will comprise 120,000 sq ft of speculative office space, a 200-bedroom hotel and some retail and leisure space.

The total investment into the scheme is approximately £400m.


http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3115336&c=1

[GrAfiK_248]

its just grass and trees now :lol: good different looking buildings though

[feltip]

Here's the Conditions and Reasons for Outline Approval


Application number
C/04646/07/OUT

Date application received
27/07/2007

Date application registered
27/07/2007

Status
Decision Made

Location
Curzon Park, land at Curzon Street, City, Birmingham,

Proposal
Office led and residential mixed use scheme


Condition and reason details

The layout of the building(s) REASON: This is an application under the provision of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure)(Amendment)(England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/1062), and no details have been submitted with respect to the matters reserved in this permission.

The scale of the building(s) REASON: This is an application under the provision of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure)(Amendment)(England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/1062), and no details have been submitted with respect to the matters reserved in this permission.

The appearance of the building(s) REASON: This is an application under the provision of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure)(Amendment)(England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/1062), and no details have been submitted with respect to the matters reserved in this permission.

The landscaping of the building(s) REASON: This is an application under the provision of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure)(Amendment)(England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/1062), and no details have been submitted with respect to the matters reserved in this permission.

The layout of the car park including provision for people with disabilities. REASON In order to secure the satisfactory provision of facilities and access for people with mobility and sensory disabilities in accordance with the standards adopted by the Local Planning Authority.

The building or car park hereby approved shall not be brought into use until a parking management strategy has been submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The use of the building and car park shall cease if the car park is not being operated in accordance with that strategy. REASON: In order to prevent the interference with the free flow of traffic in the adjoining highway(s)

The provision to be made for secure storage of cycles for persons using the premises/site. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory provision of facilities for cyclists using the premises/site, in accordance with the standards adopted by the Local Planning Authority.

A scheme for the provision and implementation of a sustainable drainage (SuDS) system that reduces the rate of run-off from the site to 80% current values and provides an assessment of the hydrological hydrogeological context of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. REASON: To ensure the satisfactory drainage of the site.

Notwithstanding the details of the noise assessment submitted with the Environmental Statement, prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, a scheme for the protection of future occupiers from road and rail traffic noise shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The layout of the proposed development shall be designed to ensure that facades containing habitable rooms are only situated in areas of the site which when assessed in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance Note 24 fall into Noise Exposure Category C or below. Prior to submission of an application for full planning permission a noise study shall be undertaken to demonstrate that the development meets this requirement. For those facades falling within Noise Exposure Category C, doors and windows to habitable rooms shall have a weighted sound reduction index (Rw) of 38 dB or greater. Any ventilation on facades to habitable rooms shall be provided by means of accoustic vents achieving an Rw of at least 38 dB. For facades falling within Noise Exposure Category B, doors and windows to habitable rooms shall have a weighted sound reduction index (Rw) of 30 dB or greater, and for facades falling within Noise Exposure Category A no measures are required. REASON: In order secure the amenity of future occupiers of the development.

Prior to the installation of any kitchen extract ventilation system, a scheme shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority in writing incorporating details of any noise levels and odour abatement technologies to be employed. Installation shall not commence until the scheme has received written approval from the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers and future occupiers of premises/dwelling(s) in the vicinity.

A scheme of noise insulation between any commercial premises and adjacent residential premises shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and implemented prior to the occupation of the building. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the application site.

Prior to commencement of development on site, the applicant should carry out a site assessment to determine the levels of contamination on the land and provide the results to the Local Planning Authority for approval. The site assessment should include as a minimum a detailed desk study, the development of a conceptual model, intrusive investigations and an appropriate risk assessment. The site assessment should be carried out in accordance with the Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination - CLR11 and any other current guidance. The site assessment should consider historical land use information and include intrusive site investigations as necessary to determine the levels of contamination on the land. If contamination is found to be present and assessed as an unacceptable risk to human health, safety and the environment, the applicant should provide a remediation scheme for approval by the Local Planning Authority prior to the development commencing. The remediation scheme should address any risk identified in the assessment. The scheme will include details of how the applicant will validate the works, in order to demonstrate that the objectives have been met. The approved scheme shall be fully implemented nd completed and a validation report provided before any development permitted is occupied. REASON: In the interests of persons and premises in the vicinity.

Full details of the size, location, design and extent of the green and brown roofs shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority for each phase of development, prior to commencement of the development of that phase. REASON: To provide biodiversity enhancement in accordance with the objectives of PPS9 'Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.'

A detailed ecological mitigation and enhancement strategy, including a program of eradication for the Japanese Knotweed present on the site. REASON: In order to safeguard the nature conservation value of the site.

A statement shall be submitted in writing to the Local Planning Authority for approval prior to commencement of the development, detailing use and controls of the car park entry/exit lane arrangements, as no approval is given to the indicative parking layout shown. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

A Servicing strategy plan detailing all requirements for commercial servicing, refuse collection and deliveries related to residential use, considering all means of controal and management on public and private areas. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

A scheme of external lighting to the buildings. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development.

Facilities shall be provided for the cleaning of the wheels of vehicles associated with the construction on site to avoid the transference of mud onto the highway. The facilities shall be provided before any development commences in accordance with details to be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and shall be maintained throughout the period of construction. REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

The areas allocated for car parking and vehicle circulation shall only be used for those purposes. REASON: In order to prevent interference with the free flow of traffic in the adjoining highways.

No sound reproduction or amplification equipment (mechanical or electrical), shall be installed or used in, or adjacent to any part of the building(s) at any time for purposes of external use. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers and future occupiers of premises/dwelling(s) to the vicinity.

No development shall commence until the applicant, or their agent or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: The site is of known archaeological significance and it is important that archaeological remains are appropriately recorded prior to their damage or destruction by the development.

The building(s) shall not be occupied until the occupiers of the premises have affiliated to "Company Travelwise in Birmingham". In the event that the occupiers cease to affiliate to Travelwise they shall come forward, within three months of them ceasing to affiliate to Travelwise, with further proposals for decreasing reliance on the private car and continuing staff use of alternative means of transport, such proposals to be agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority and thereafter implemented. REASON: In order to decrease reliance on the private car and encourage the use of public transport.

The rating levels for cumulative noise from all plant and machinery shall not exceed 10 dB below the existing background level at any noise sensitive premises to the proposed development as assessed in accordance with British Standard 4142 (1997). Alternative levels and monitoring locations may be used subject to the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers and future occupiers of premises/dwelling(s) in the vicinity.

Before any air handling plant and/or machinery is used on the premises, it shall be enclosed with sound insulating material to reduce noise and mounted in a way which will minimise transmission of vibration and structure borne sound in accordance with a scheme to be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers and future occupiers of premises/dwelling(s) in the vicinity.

No deliveries shall be taken at or dispatched from any commercial premises outside the hours of 08:00-18:00 hours. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers and future occupiers of premises/dwelling(s) in the vicinity.

The Maximum Instantaneous Noise Levels (LAFmax) from any commercial use/operation shall not exceed 60 dB(A) at night time (23.00-07.00hrs) at any noise sensitive premises to the proposed development. Alternative levels and monitoring locations may be used subject to the prior agreement of the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers and future occupiers of premises/dwelling(s) in the vicinity.

The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the applicant: - has entered into arrangements with the Highway Authority for the provision of new/altered Traffic Regulation Orders around the site, - has entered into a s278 agreement for a new signal junction on Curzon Street, vehicle access points on Curzon Street for parking and servicing access, parking and lay-by areas on Curzon Street, access on Banbury Street and reinstatement of all redundant footway crossings to BCC specification and necessary footway and lighting requirements around the site, and a Construction Travel Plan detailing a timetable of demolition and construction across the site with potential need for temporary access locations and road closures. The phasing of all highway works are to be agreed with the Highway Authority and completed/implemented to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority before occupation of any part of the development phase, and all necessary consents, licences, permits or other agreements are to be obtained from the Highway Authority before occupation of any part of the development phase. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

All car park ramps, pedestrian visibility splays and cycle parking shall be provided to accord with BCC design guidelines. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

This permission shall relate to the provision of up to 130,000sqm gross external area and shall include the provision of the following (all figures GEA): Office : minimum 72,464 sqm - maximum 84,541sqm Residential : minimum 36,232 sqm - maximum 53,883sqm (670 dwellings) Hotel : minimum 0 sqm - maximum 11,148sqm (200 beds) Retail (A1-A4) : minimum 1,858sqm - maximum 2,323 sqm REASON: In order to define the permission and secure the satisfactory development of the site.

There shall be maintained at all times a Master Plan for the whole of the development site to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. The Master Plan shall be updated, from time to time, as each application for approval of Reserved Matters or other scheme in respect of each phase of the development is submitted. The updated Master Plan shall: (i) be in substantial accordance with the general disposition of buildings and uses around the site, be consistent with the floorspace and massing levels as shown by the Statement of Principles and Master Plan Parameter Plans (Drawing Nos:A_PL_001 - 009 Revision 02, October 2007). (ii) be in general accordance with the Curzon Park Design and Access Statement (July 2007), and: (iii) shall show the relationship between the completed development, the phase in respect of which the Reserved Matters or other scheme is submitted and the remainder of the site. All details submitted for reserved matters shall be in substantial accordance with the approved Statement of Principles and Master Plan, with the fixed items set out in the approved Parameter Plans and in general accordance with the approved Design and Access Statement. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the application site.

Prior to occupation of any building a scheme of noise attenuation shall be submitted in writing by the applicant to the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall be specific, to mitigate impact noise generated by the gun Proof House and shall have consideration to both the glazing and means of ventilation. The proposed scheme shall not be implemented until agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the application site.

Application(s) for approval of any reserved matter(s) must be made before the expiration of 10 years from the date of this permission. The development for which permission is granted must be begun before one of the following dates, whichever is the later: 1) The expiration of 11 years from the date of this permission. 2) The expiration of 1 year from the final approval of the reserved matters or, in the case of approval on different dates, the final approval of the last such matter ot be approved. REASON: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, (this section limits the duration of the planning approval).

Birmingham City Council grants Planning Permission subject to the condition(s) listed below (if appropriate). The reason for granting permission is because the development is in accordance with: Policies 3.8, 3.10 and 3.14 of the Birmingham Unitary Development Plan 2005 and Places for All (2001)

[Brummyboy92]

This is fantastic news, maybe this will bring in more developers to the eastside, great development and I look foward to it, is there any proper render though?

[brum2003]

Fresh from Property Week + new image of Eastside



http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3115336&c=1



Interstingly, look at the massing for the Typhoo site, seems radically different from what was proposed before !! something new on the horizon

[SimonTheSoundMan]

VTP200 is also missing.

[Brummyboy92]

I would not look to much into it, look at city park gate, its the same shape as the old design, and as we know its not going to end up like that.

[feltip]

I would not look to much into it, look at city park gate, its the same shape as the old design, and as we know its not going to end up like that.

I doubt it will be radically different. I certainly hope not.

The image isn't bad although the actually park looks a little 'wild'.

Good indication on the number of schemes around and the massing / density.

[Brummyboy92]

Hmmm your probaly write and towards masshouse the amount of trees there looks great, lets just hope it looks like that as well as VTP200 being built.

[feltip]

Post article.

Be interesting to see what space has been left like the BCU campus for rail works into New Street.


End of the line for Grand Central railway plan in Birmingham
Jun 6 2008 By Paul Dale, Public Affairs Editor

The last chances of Birmingham getting a Grand Central railway station at Eastside have disappeared after city planners approved a £350 million scheme for flats, offices and shops on land earmarked by supporters of the ambitious project.

The Curzon Park development on the former Parcelforce site, between the West Coast Main Line and the new City Park, will create almost 5,000 jobs.

Proposals by Grainger plc to build up to 670 apartments, 85,000 sq ms of office space and a 200-bedroom four star hotel in a crescent-shaped series of buildings were unanimously approved after council officials said the striking modern design would not detract from the Grade 1 listed Curzon Street Station.

Coun Douglas Osborn (Con Weoley) said: “This is a great investment in Eastside. It is precisely what we are about in promoting the city.”

Backers of the Grand Central scheme objected, calling for the site to be reserved for “future expansion of the rail system to serve the city centre”.

The 11-acre site is the last remaining parcel of land at Eastside large enough and close enough to the railway line for a new station.

Council leaders insist the £650 million refurbishment of New Street Station, expected to be completed by 2013, will address Birmingham’s rail needs for the forseeable future.

Network Rail has said in the past that it has no plans to build a fourth main line station in Birmingham, although it does not rule out the possibility in the future.

Grand Central’s supporters fear an improved New Street, while having capacity to cope with many more passengers in airport-style passenger concourses, will be unable to cope with an increase in demand for rail services and will do nothing to solve the bottleneck of trains queuing to get into the station.

They argue the cramped nature of the New Street site makes a new station on the outskirts of the city centre inevitable within the next 20 years.

Planning officer Richard Goulborn said Curzon Park would enhance the setting of Curzon Street Station, which once marked the start of the Birmingham to Euston line and is reputed to be the oldest railway terminal in the world.

Mr Goulborn said in a written report: “The new buildings have been specifically designed so that their scale is at a maximum in the centre of the site, then gradually decreasing in height in both east and west directions to the Digbeth Branch Canal and the station building.”

New buildings closest to Curzon Street would be no higher than the building itself, Mr Goulborn added.

Curzon Street Station remains un-used, but the facade will be renovated as part of the Curzon Park development. The council is continuing to market the station building and hopes to attract a new tenant soon.

David Enticknap of Curzon Park Ltd, said: “Development Securities and Grainger have worked closely with Birmingham City Council to develop a masterplan providing a wide range of modern buildings set in high quality landscaped public spaces. Curzon Park will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of Eastside and the Big City Plan.”

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2008/06/06/end-of-the-line-for-grand-central-railway-plan-in-birmingham-65233-21032172/

[SimonTheSoundMan]

I asked BDP that question. They have to leave a gap between from the viaduct and buildings just in case they need to add more lines. Hope that answered that Simon.

[blahblah]

^^ For tunnels to go under New Street...

[Biosonic]

I didn't even know this had gone in for planning!

[Biosonic]

:lol:

It's funny how people read too much into things.

The image is about Curzon Park, nothing else, so if they didn't have the information available about the park, VTP, CPG or anything else then it won't appear on the pics :)

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Funny how we slag off Eastside Locks, but praise this development. :|

[kaneskelly]

looks pretty decent i suppose and the lack of highrise here will emphasise the height of vtp if its built

[Brummyboy92]

Funny how we slag off Eastside Locks, but praise this development. :|

I never slag it off, I think the eastside will turn out to be preety immpresive on completion, I cant wait.:banana::banana::banana:

[feltip]

:lol:

It's funny how people read too much into things.

The image is about Curzon Park, nothing else, so if they didn't have the information available about the park, VTP, CPG or anything else then it won't appear on the pics :)

Not strictly true as with the image of CPG there is how the renders were proposed for initial OUT approval so sometimes where genuine renders are known they are used in context.

I think until fat ladies sing we should wait for final details anyway although bit of soothsaying is fun :)

[liberty57]

Funny how we slag off Eastside Locks, but praise this development. :|
If what we are seeing actually gets built Curzon Park will be really excellent, the curves and sloping designs over 12 buildings will look amazing. Compare that with what we are seeing at Eastside locks, absolutely nothing grabs you!

[feltip]

I must confess to a slight hangup over the semi-circle shape and the road in the middle. Apart from that I like it.

[Erebus555]

From World Architecture News:
Hamiltons and Curzon Park Ltd gain planning for major mixed-use in Birmingham

Curzon Park Ltd, a Joint Venture between developers Development Securities Plc and Grainger Plc today confirmed the City Council’s planning committee has approved outline plans for a major mixed-use development masterplanned by Hamiltons Architects Ltd.

Located at Birmingham’s Eastside, work on the 10.5 acre (4.2 ha) site of freehold land is expected to commence towards the end of this year.

The outline planning permission provides for 1.4 million sq ft (130,000 sq m) of office, residential, hotel and leisure uses. Representing a key element of Birmingham City Council’s Eastside regeneration plans, Curzon Park is strategically important to the extension of the city core.

With the scheme representing circa £400m worth of investment, award-winning architects Hamiltons has created the masterplan for the site bounded to the East by the Digbeth Canal and to the North and West by Birmingham’s proposed new 8 acre (3.2 ha) City Park.

The masterplan is designed to create a unique identity and sense of place whilst being an integral part of a much wider and vibrant community, mediating between, and facilitating links with the surrounding city centre. The design incorporates Curzon Street Station and the new City Park which together will form the heart of Eastside. Curzon Street Station will become the centrepiece of a newly created public square which provides an elegant setting for the Grade II listed building and forms the gateway into the new development.

The first phase will incorporate a 120,000 sq ft (11,150 sq m) speculative office building, a 200-bedroom hotel and retail/leisure space. Whilst meeting the demand of the commercial sector in the city, Curzon Park will connect with Birmingham’s universities and colleges.

David Enticknap of Curzon Park Ltd, said: “Development Securities, Grainger and Hamiltons have worked closely with Birmingham City Council to develop a masterplan providing a wide range of modern buildings set in high quality landscaped public spaces. Curzon Park will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of Eastside and the Big City Plan.”

Eastside is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK, covering 170 hectares of Birmingham city centre. The Curzon Park development will be a valuable addition to the renaissance of the learning quarter, contributing to the creation of 12,000 jobs when the regeneration project is complete.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/2415_1_CurzonPk_final%20%20big.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=2415

[feltip]

Cheers for that Erebus. That image is much better than the sliver we got on Property Week.

Look at all that development space and potential :)

[mk61]

I must confess to a slight hangup over the semi-circle shape and the road in the middle. Apart from that I like it.

I'm in agreement, largely. I can understand the crescent to a degree because the site is hemmed in to the south by the WCML, no help creating a more legible street pattern there, but it does scream 'BUSINESS PARK' perhaps a little too much.

[smysticed]

Definitely got potential, will just have to wait and see the details.

[Joe Brody]

What are all those developments beyond the rail line in Digbeth?

[Erebus555]

Mixture of Typhoo Wharf, Warwick Bar and (I think) Rea Village. Not sure about Rea Village - I know very little about it.

[Steldemetriou]

From BDONLINE

Patel Taylor’s park draws a thin green line through Birmingham
13 June 2008

Patel Taylor’s £12.5 million scheme for Eastside City Park, a green, linear park planned for Birmingham, has been granted outline planning approval.

At 800m long and just 40m wide, it extends east from Park Street, along the front of Nicholas Grimshaw’s Millennium Point building to the Digbeth Branch Canal, and is defined by two 22m-high steel frames which reinforce the linear design.

Practice partner Andrew Taylor said the park makes topographical, historical and formal connections to the city. A former burial ground with archaeological remains lies to the west and there are significant historical buildings adjacent to the main body of the park, including the former Curzon Street Railway Station.

“We wanted to make clear links between the park and the city, so we’ve created links to the surrounding townscape all along it. It was also important to respect the site’s topography — there’s an 11m rise from east to west towards the canal and we’ve created a series of water features which climb upwards to it.”

Taylor said the park, which is split into three distinct gardens, had numerous roles to play in the city.

“What’s interesting is that Birmingham is putting a public park at the forefront of regeneration,” he said.

“The idea is that private sector developments will follow. The park provides a central green space which the city lacks, but it will also accommodate events and strengthen both the city’s public realm and built environment.”

Details of materials are still to be finalised but the architect plans to build retaining walls with gabions filled with reclaimed bricks.

The two-year delivery programme is expected to begin in 18 months. “It will need a couple of planting seasons to see it through,” added Taylor.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3115768

[Erebus555]

Sorry Sted but this is the wrong thread! The City Park is located right alongside Curzon Park (which actually isn't a park at all)! :)

[Steldemetriou]

Sorry Sted but this is the wrong thread! The City Park is located right alongside Curzon Park (which actually isn't a park at all)! :)

Apologies, pure laziness on my part!, should be in the correct thread now

[Biosonic]

http://www.propnews.co.uk/editorial/midlands/midsplng16608.html

Birmingham
Curzon Park Ltd, a joint venture between developers Development Securities plc and Grainger plc have confirmed that outline plans for a major mixed-use development have been approved.
Located at Birmingham’s Eastside, work on the 4.2 ha (10.5 acre) site of freehold land is expected to commence towards the end of this year.
The outline planning permission provides for some 130,000 sq m (1.4 million sq ft) of office, residential, hotel and leisure uses. Representing a key element of Birmingham City Council’s Eastside regeneration plans, Curzon Park is strategically important to the extension of the city core.
Agents for the scheme are CB Richard Ellis for the commercial space and Knight Frank for the residential

[Engels]

Hi all, :wave: (been away quite a bit lately)

Just picking up something Erebus posted from World Architecture news re the planning permission for Curzon Park:

The first phase will incorporate a 120,000 sq ft (11,150 sq m) speculative office building, a 200-bedroom hotel and retail/leisure space. Whilst meeting the demand of the commercial sector in the city, Curzon Park will connect with Birmingham’s universities and colleges.

combined with:

Located at Birmingham’s Eastside, work on the 10.5 acre (4.2 ha) site of freehold land is expected to commence towards the end of this year.

Plans for the first phase must be pretty well advance yet we seem to know nothing about it.

A 200 bed hotel is reasonably big (maybe 8-10 stories) and 120,000 sq ft of office space if in one building would be about half the size of Snowhill 1. I am therefore wondering which part of the scheme this is:

My guess (and only a guess) is that they will be developing the area around Curzon st station first, perhaps 2 or 3 buildings simultaneously built at the same time as the public square to provide the gateway to the rest of the development as it proceeds through the phases.

Anybody have any evidence to back up any of this wild speculation of mine?

edit. Been looking through the planning docs and have found this: Still don't know which building is the hotel etc thought

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/chris_engels/CurzonParkPlan.jpg

[djay]

wheres building 8?

[Erebus555]

Building on the top right hand corner I think. If I remember rightly, they were unsure what to do with that bit of the site. There were various options they listed.