Application: Number 2014/08220/PA Application Type: Reserved Matters Development Site Address: Plot G Arena Central Land Bound By Holliday Street, Suffolk Street Queensway, Alpha Tower And The Crowne Plaza Birmingham B1 1TW Proposal: Reserved matters application for plot G of Arena Central for residential led mixed use development consisting of 322 residential apartments, 673 Sqm commercial floorspace (A1, A5, B1, D1 & D2), circa 150 car parking spaces, cycle parking spaces, landscaping & public realm improvements & plant & equipment Planning Officer: David Wells Area Team: P & R - City Centre Team Applicant: One Birmingham Ltd
As a mid rise building it's mediocre, certainly not the worst I have seen in the city and mariginally more attractive than Orion provided it looks anything like the renders.
However, the fact it is in this central location and compared to what was originally conceived is a cruel joke really. It fits in well with Orion, Copthorne (red and black building?) and the Crwone Plazza. All vey low quality buildings but in slightly less prominent locations.
It does not respect Alpha Tower at all and If we are talking about it being listed, I would argue this new proposal severaly detracts from Alpha Tower and blocks the view of it from some major approaching vantage points. Perhaps for another location but I've seen better in Newtown. It's really awful for this location. If this is the low quality of design then really it should be limited even further in height and perhaps to just three or four stories so as not to impact on Alpha Tower at all.
As said the only possible redeeming feature could be use of materials but even then, too big a monstrosity for this location.
A shame but reflection of low ambition in the city in recent years, in that respect it is perfect.
If this is the low quality of design then really it should be limited even further in height and perhaps to just three or four stories so as not to impact on Alpha Tower at all.
This kind of building really annoys me, but I doubt there's anything we can do to stop them now.
The saving grace is that it'll probably only last about 25 years before falling apart anyway, so let's hope for a quick start on site. The quicker they throw it up the quicker we can see it pulled down.
^^
Crafty visuals making the towers look tall and sleek yet Alpha Tower still looking considerably taller?
Visuals don't seem to have changed much to me, personally utterly disappointed, there could have least have been some pinnacle or angle at the top instead of the square finish, absolutely no consideration been given to the prominent position. oh well, seventies Castle Bromwich comes to Arena Central.hno:
Hope we get something exciting in the middle of the site.
I'm always minded to remember Colmore Plaza which was heavily criticised when first proposed but due largely to the quality of materials used turned out to be a gem. Granted this is a very different building but the location is simlar in terms of importance and profile on the skyline. I'm cautiously optimistic at present.
I've noticed this a lot on the forum, especially in the regional cities. We seem to be happy with mediocre in what have been sold to us as city changing development sites.
It's absolutely pants. It's so bog standard it's un true. It;s as if now it's been proposed people are like "bugger it, it'll do" ... it really won't.
It's a horrendous design, horrendous foot print and I think an insult to the city to be quite frank.
Luckily for the UK and especially Birmingham we've got too much of a housing demand on my opinion to go back into recession, this will get built it's already sold isn't it?
See now I'm torn, on the one hand I like the density it will bring to the area. But on the other hand, it's a poor substitute for what was designed before.
It does prove to me that dandara have little in the way of ambition.
As for another recession, our economy is showing good signs of growth at the moment in all sectors. Just prey labour don't get back in and blow the recovery with their economic incompetence.
^^ I think the recession comment was more to do with the state of other economies rather than our own, ours is out performing expectations, the euro zone has slipped, Germany only recorded 0.1% growth and japan has seen a big fall think it's now back on recession the growing economies of developing nations has also slowed
How would people feel if this was proposed for say eastside as a fresh new project? I think because of the sites past people are against it
To be honest, I would rather it was built at Arena Central than Masshouse. After all, Masshouse will be the point of arrival on HS2, so it really needs some quality additions there rather than here.
Its a bit mediocre but then, IMO, it really isn't as prominent a location as Masshouse (will be), Brindleyplace or neighbouring Paradise Circus, it's kinda tucked out of the way (pedestrian-route-wise), next to a tunnel entrance and dual carriageway and surrounded by mainly similar mediocre buildings. So, if there is to be mediocre and this is the worse it can be, then Arena Central is an acceptable location.
Very boring proposal, and quite uninspiring layout to the area - granted it's an awkward spot to get right considering that it has to not out-stage Alpha but the quality of the materials will guarantee to be average at the very most.
It will look cheap and, from what I have seen from Dandara, of pretty average and humdrum perceived quality. Even worse, they haven't hidden what it will look like on a gloomy overcast day.
Am I offended by it? Not really but it could do with a bit of fizz to give it a signature finish and use of quality materials to help prevent it looking like just an ordinary out-of-town (out of sight) tower block. Am I thinking of V-Tower? Not really, I missed all that palava so it isn't etched into me like others in here - it is just genuinely a dull proposal on such a prominent plot.
Come on Dandara - Try harder!!!!
Is this the original proposal? If so, you just wait until the downgraded amendments.....
I'm afraid I must object to Royal Blue's language...
A lot of people on this forum get very upset when they hear people say ..... ' 150m + '
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SkyscraperCity Forum
139.4M posts
1.1M members
Since 2002
A truly global community dedicated to skyscrapers, cities, urban development, and the metropolitan environment. Join us to share news, views and fun about architecture, construction, transport, skylines, and much more!