Plans for the world’s first climate-neutral skyscraper development in Birmingham have been described as “exciting” by regional political leaders.
Developers of the Curzon Wharf proposals, due for public consultation starting Friday, have claimed that its eco-friendly and energy-efficient credentials would make it the world’s first mixed-use building of its kind.
Woodbourne Group is planning three residential towers, including two skyscrapers, and a separate office building to be proposed as the life sciences center with laboratory, research and development space.
A computer generated image of the development from the main square (Woodbourne Group / PA)
The eye-catching £ 360 million canal-side development is said to be in Dartmouth Circus at the city’s north gate, where the main Aston Expressway carries traffic in and out of the city to and from the M6.
The location would be an eight-minute walk from the new HS2 station, which should be operational by 2029.
According to the developers, the proposals could support up to 460 jobs during the build and create around 1,000 jobs after completion.
Backers have also claimed that it will bring £ 151 million to the wider regional economy over the four year construction period, and an additional £ 50 million once it is completed.
The construction would be just a short walk from the planned HS2 Curzon Street Station, due to open in 2029. (Grimshaw Architects / PA)
Woodbourne Group’s CEO Tani Dulay said the development would create a “world class and sustainable mixed-use ecosystem,” with life sciences, a new breed of residential and student living with huge public spaces that “have never been seen in Birmingham were seen ”.
He added that the construction would position Birmingham “as the UK’s leading smart and sustainable city, paving the way for Britain’s green revolution”.
The developers have outlined the environmental impact of the buildings, claiming that using low and low carbon technology could reduce at least 69% of CO2 emissions in the three apartment blocks.
Birmingham City Council has pledged to make the city and local authorities climate neutral by 2030. In a clean air zone, environmentally harmful vehicles will be paid for entering the city center from June onwards.
The story goes on
Council Chairman Ian Ward described the proposals as “exciting” (Aaron Chown / PA)
Labor Council Chairman Ian Ward welcomed the “exciting” development, adding that the city would “be at the forefront of green, sustainable development and underscore our determination to tackle the climate crisis” and create jobs.
Andy Street, mayor of the conservative West Midlands, said the plans were “incredibly exciting” and “innovative”, with the potential to not only reduce the region’s carbon footprint, but also add highly skilled, well-paid life sciences jobs to the world Bring downtown.
If it were built tomorrow, the tallest building on the site – Boulton Tower – would be the tallest building in Birmingham at 172 m, with nearly 500 rental apartments with one or two beds on 53 floors.
It would surpass the tallest existing structure in the city, the BT Tower, which is 150 feet tall.
An artistic impression of the public space around Curzon Wharf (Woodbourne Group / PA)
The development has competition in the field, however, as the even taller 100-foot high-rise skyscraper block received planning permission from city planners last year.
The shorter skyscraper of the Curzon Wharf location, the 41-story Watt Tower, accommodates some of the city’s 80,000+ students with a total of 732 apartments.
The third block of flats, named Galton Skytree, would offer 265 units that are rated “best in class” when compared to other residential buildings of this type.
The development will also include 130,000 square feet of office, R&D and life science space, as well as retail and recreational facilities and public space.
An artistic impression of Curzon Wharf with the A38 (M) Aston Expressway in the foreground. (Woodbourne Group / PA)
It is estimated that the completed construction will generate £ 2 million annually in taxes and business taxes and will receive a one-time bonus grant of £ 4 million from the government for new homes.
The city center is in a state of upheaval, much of it surrounds the HS2 Curzon Street Station, which is currently under construction. Several skyscrapers in residential areas are currently in various planning or development stages.
The public can comment on the plans at www.curzonwharf.com