Decision made on new 10-storey office block overlooking Centenary Square in Birmingham city centre

The plans for a 10-storey office building at Centenary Square, which boasts iconic sights such as the Hall of Memory, the ICC complex and the Grade II listed Baskerville House, have been approved.

The new development will include a rooftop plant area, a terrace overlooking the square, parking and a cycle store.

According to a council officer’s report, the application is similar to a previous scheme granted consent in 2021 but with updates to the design to “better suit the current market”.

The scheme will also form part of the Arena Central ‘business cluster’ opposite the Library of Birmingham, a long-running project that is already home to businesses such as HSBC UK and Holiday Inn Express.

Speaking at a planning committee meeting today, November 28, councillor Gareth Moore said he supported the plans for the new office building at 5 Centenary Square and praised Arena Central.

“It shows what can be done in terms of design and we’ve got a number of different buildings which are distinctive and unique,” he said.

“You can look at it and know what it is, I think that’s how buildings should be in the city.”

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He went on to describe Arena Central as a “cluster of elegantly designed buildings”.

“The problem is we have too many developments which are just boring, black boxes,” he added. “We need more developments like Arena Central in this city.”

A design document for the new office building said it needs to act as a “gateway” into Arena Central.

“The striking building and landscape design has to maintain the level of quality set by the previously consented buildings,” it continued.

The council report said the cladding design creates a “simple, bold pattern” that emphasised the curved corner of the building.

It concluded the proposed building retained the character of the previous 2021 permission.

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“The proposal is acceptable regarding visual amenity and the impact on the setting of nearby heritage assets, including the adjacent Former Municipal Bank,” it continued.

“The proposed changes when compared to the previous scheme granted consent in 2021 seek to update the building design to better suit the current market.”

The application was unanimously approved by the committee earlier today.