HSBC Birmingham HQ construction December update

It's been almost two months since my last update on the construction of the HSBC UK headquarters at the Arena Central site in Birmingham, http://birminghamcentral.blogspot.com/2016/10/hsbc-birmingham-hq-construction-october.html.

While construction has soared upwards with the scale of the development dwarfing the adjacent former Birmingham Municipal Bank it is soon to be joined by more construction work.  Arena Central recently secured planning approval for its third block, http://arena-central.com/2016/11/planning-consent-granted-for-3-arena-central/.  Developer Dandara has secured government funding to bring forward its housing plans adjacent to the Crowne Plaza and Alpha Tower, http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/12/01/dandara-gets-funding-for-three-major-prs-schemes/ with a development of 323 flats.  Work also continues on the new Holiday Inn Express adjacent to the Crowne Plaza with the cladding adding another pattern to Birmingham's skyline.  I noted the plans in 2012, http://birminghamcentral.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/room-occupied-birmingham-expands-hotel.html.  Excitingly the headquarters neighbour, the former Municipal Bank, a beautiful monumental classical style building, has been bought by the University of Birmingham as a gateway to the University's research and cultural assets.

Proposals for the development include: a community education hub; performance space for music and drama; café, bar and dining provision; business and professional training space; and meeting and function rooms as an extension to campus facilities.http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2016/11/university-of-birmingham-confirms-city-centre-gateway.aspx

An indicative image of Arena Central from the Library of Birmingham showing the redeveloped Centenary Square and Arena Central buildings with the metro extension along the square on towards Broad Street.

Image reproduced from: http://arena-central.com/

The following photos show the progress on the HSBC headquarters.  The cladding on the new Holiday Inn Express is now adding to the view and complimenting the nearby Cube.

7 December 2016

30 November