Masshouse Phase II | Priory Queensway | App (Outline)

[Brum X]

Originally Posted by theidealcopy two

Yet more squat buildings then..... oh fantastic..... nothing to make a proper impression on this most prominent of locations along the city centre's eastern ridge eh? No surprises there. As it stands, approach Birmingham from this eastern direction (along the railway from Stetchford) and you can see that every building seems homogenous in its height - they're all practically the same size. That isn't impressive....it's boring! This part needs some sort of decent sized tower (even 100m would do for goodness sakes) to break the monotony of the current massing. From the way we see it the only building that breaks the dullness is the one that's been the tallest on the city skyline since 1964 - the 500' BT tower (which doesn't even appear that tall from here anyway as it stands on a lower part of the city centre ridge) - and no doubt that soon will be considered for demolition in the not too distant future seeing as it's more or less become redundant (save the slight tweaks to its dishes and antenna)....

And isnt a 100metres ish tower in the propsed plans at some point ?????

[NeilM]

Yes, the tallest building is about 100m.

[Brum X]

Originally Posted by NeilM

Yes, the tallest building is about 100m.

Coolio, i thought so.

[Nessyjord]

Originally Posted by theidealcopy two

Yet more squat buildings then..... oh fantastic..... nothing to make a proper impression on this most prominent of locations along the city centre's eastern ridge eh? No surprises there. As it stands, approach Birmingham from this eastern direction (along the railway from Stetchford) and you can see that every building seems homogenous in its height - they're all practically the same size. That isn't impressive....it's boring! This part needs some sort of decent sized tower (even 100m would do for goodness sakes) to break the monotony of the current massing. From the way we see it the only building that breaks the dullness is the one that's been the tallest on the city skyline since 1964 - the 500' BT tower (which doesn't even appear that tall from here anyway as it stands on a lower part of the city centre ridge) - and no doubt that soon will be considered for demolition in the not too distant future seeing as it's more or less become redundant (save the slight tweaks to its dishes and antenna)....

I'm really starting to like this guy!

[Ecological]

There was never going to be a major tower here. Whats being proposed is perfect for the area.

[sefton66]

This and paradise circus lack a big height but the overall development looks really high class and its still got decent height in the scheme, 100m+ here and paradise circus has a building proposed in similar height to alpha,

I'd much rather have the high density and high quality than a huge tower with crap around it much more benefit with what's proposed.

I understand people's disappointment we can just hope the talls go ahead when things improve.

[Ecological]

http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/N...rod_DC_PLANAPP

There's a massing picture which shows it off quite while.

plus the max building height again is 99m!!

[joshwebb]

on that link eco it states that the main block which is block A will be 80m

[feltip]

Some pics from the apps

[sefton66]

Eco is right, 99m is the maximum height according to the app

[rafter1]

If you look at the document Eco posted, it places the tallest building right beside the McLaren building. McLaren, according to Skyscraper News, is 69 metres, and in the document it is quite a bit taller than McLaren, so Eco's estimation of 99 metres would seem to be spot on.

[JayPeeDee]

Clever place to put a bus stop (shown in the plan view)... It's already a complete joke around there for buses trying to get across from the left lane to the right and other vehicles doing the opposite. Adding a bus stop would create gridlock.

[morestoreysplease]

Have they removed the traffic lights there or something? It would make sense to always allow left-turns to keep the flow.

[Ecological]

Originally Posted by joshwebb

on that link eco it states that the main block which is block A will be 80m

Edit

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by morestoreysplease

Have they removed the traffic lights there or something? It would make sense to always allow left-turns to keep the flow.

No they haven't, but they are currently upgrading the 2 junctions on James Watt Queensway. Traffic in the morning is terrible and they are taking their time to finish Tue road.

[joshwebb]

Originally Posted by Ecological

Edit

what?

[Spread]

Not sure whether this image has been posted before (appologies for the size):

[Erebus555]

The plans look really good at this stage. I'm not too fussed about the height of the buildings but the density is just right for bridging the city centre core with Eastside. The layout of the site seems much more considered than the previous proposals, especially at Dale End - the subtle set back of the tallest building into the site will open up it all up so much more.

My only worry is that the central public space might have too much going on (changes of level, water features, art, cafe etc), but those details are left for later planning...

[hoody]

I'm starting to really like the developers taking into account the public realm with more public spaces.

[ExchangeSquare]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to dive on and say a quick hello to everyone - we're the developers behind Masshouse (both the residential development of Hive/H&I and Exchange Square) and thought that you might be interested in the following media release, which was sent out to the press yesterday afternoon, following a successful hearing at the Council's planning meeting!

There are a couple of new CGIs here as well.

We really like hearing your feedback and comments on the scheme, so if you've got any questions, please just give us a shout!

Thanks,
Nikal

Planning approval received for new mixed-use Exchange Square development at Masshouse

Outline planning consent has been received for the second phase of property developer Nikal’s Masshouse development in Birmingham.

Named Exchange Square, the site has received clearance for the development of 600,000 sq ft of Grade A commercial space across two buildings, ground floor retail, and a 200 bed hotel and apartments, all set around a new public realm.

Providing a natural extension to Birmingham’s existing core and connecting the city to the on-going regeneration of Eastside, Exchange Square is designed to be delivered in phases, with the public square and any of the site’s three planned buildings able to be brought forward, depending on market demand.

James Payne, Development Director, Nikal, which has sole ownership of the site, said: “We are naturally delighted with the decision by Birmingham City Council to grant outline planning consent for this scheme. Exchange Square represents one of only a few deliverable solutions to the perceived upcoming shortage of Grade A space in Birmingham over the next two years. With a cleared site and infrastructure in place, we could achieve completion of any of the planned buildings within just 18 months.

“While the quantum of space itself has remained unchanged, we have worked closely with Glenn Howells Architects to ensure that the layout of the site conformed both practically and aesthetically to the design that we had in mind for the space. We are now looking forward to developing detailed plans for each of the buildings in what will become one of Birmingham’s best business addresses.”

Situated in the City Centre Enterprise Zone, Exchange Square is well positioned to be served by both existing and planned transport services and with the site already cleared, no demolition works will be necessary to prepare it for construction.

Power will be provided to the site via the existing Combined Heat and Power generator at Aston University, which already provides heating and hot water to Nikal’s award-winning Hive residential development, part of the first phase of the Masshouse masterplan.

Originally granted planning consent in 2008, the plans for Exchange Square were revised and resubmitted to Birmingham City Council following changes to the wider economic climate and the announcement of a number of key infrastructure projects within the city, including the Big City Plan, which had not been implemented at the time of the original submission.

A masterplan for all key developments within Birmingham, the Big City Plan includes a number of key investments in the city’s infrastructure, including the £600 million redevelopment of New Street Station, construction of the Library of Birmingham, extension to the Midland Metro and construction of the City Park.

The resubmitted application also makes allowances for the delayed Magistrates Court, which was the original anchor-use sited for the first phase of Masshouse.

Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I have been a longstanding advocate of the redevelopment of Eastside, which I have always felt was a sadly overlooked and neglected part of the city. With companies like Nikal developing forward-thinking, truly 21st Century schemes like Exchange Square, I am convinced that we are now moving in the right direction with the on-going development of this site.”

One of the key alterations over the original plan sees movement of the proposed square that will open up the development, creating a more inviting environment and enhances the pedestrian route connecting the City Park and HS2 to the Colmore Business District and Snow Hill area.

Alongside the transfer of the public square, other noticeable changes to the original application include alterations to the office buildings, which have been reconfigured to offer larger floorplates across fewer floors in order to meet market demand and present a practical and appealing offer to occupiers.

Exchange Square is located adjacent to Nikal’s completed residential scheme which comprises over 340 residential units across two buildings, including Hive, which was named Best UK High Rise Development at the 2011 UK Property Awards.

Joint agents for Exchange Square are Jones Lang LaSalle and GBR Phoneix Beard. Savills acted on behalf of Nikal during the planning stage.

For more information on the development, please visit www.exchangesquare.com.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Masshouse
Masshouse is an ambitious £600m mixed use scheme located in the heart of Eastside in Birmingham city centre, being delivered wholly by Masshouse Developments Ltd, part of the Nikal Group.

Two residential towers have been successfully delivered, including Hive, a mixed-use property combining 167 apartments with retail to the ground floor. Hive offers a new concept in city living, with a private residents’ garden and ground-breaking agreement with Birmingham District Energy Company (BDEC) that sees all properties powered by locally produced low-carbon energy.

Also due to be located at Masshouse is the city’s multi-million pound new Magistrates’ Court.