Paradise Birmingham has commemorated the latest milestone in sustainable development in the city with the topping out ceremony of its newest landmark commercial building, Three Chamberlain Square.
Chris Taylor, Head of Real Estate at Federated Hermes Limited and Chairman of MEPC, joined colleagues from main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) and the wider project team on the 9th floor of the 189,000 sq ft building for the ceremony to mark reaching the construction’s highest point.
The symbolic ceremony commenced with the traditional Scottish bagpipe to reflect the heritage of SRM and the pouring of the last concrete into the building’s framework.
Construction of the low energy, low carbon building commenced in May 2023 with completion scheduled for summer 2025 when it will become Birmingham’s most sustainable and amenity-rich commercial building.
Designed by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS), Three Chamberlain Square is championing sustainability and innovation through design principles and has already secured BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5*ratings at design stage – making it one of the UK’s most sustainable buildings.
Ross Fittall, Commercial Development Director at Paradise asset and development manager MEPC, said, “Reaching this milestone is a pivotal moment towards the completion of Three Chamberlain Square. Today’s ceremony not only celebrates our progress but highlights the achievement through the dedication, hard work and enormous collaborative approach from the construction, design, and whole project team to deliver a best in class commercial development for the city.
“Its unique design and sustainable features also highlight our commitment to a net zero future across all of our buildings and has helped to create a benchmark for the remaining phase at Paradise.”
Key features of the building include its revolutionary inside-outside design, with more than 8,000 bespoke terracotta panels, 3,000 openable windows as well as the 9th floor open terrace, all helping to set a new standard in the city for both environmentally conscious architecture and premium commercial space.
Hector McAlpine, Executive Partner at Sir Robert McAlpine, commended the collaborative efforts and technical expertise in achieving the milestone, stating: “The topping out ceremony not only marks a moment of achievement in construction but also reflects our commitment to delivering excellence in sustainable development. We are very proud to be a trusted partner here at Paradise and celebrate our ongoing delivery of class leading buildings while being part of this cutting-edge development.”
Three Chamberlain Square is engineered with game-changing sustainability measures in place, including a low-carbon terracotta façade, all-electric infrastructure, and a SMART building design aimed at maximising occupant wellbeing. Moreover, the building’s commitment to social value, circular economy principles, and climate resilience aligns seamlessly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Chris Taylor, Head of Real Estate at Federated Hermes Limited and Chairman of MEPC, said: “This is a significant milestone for both the Paradise estate and the West Midlands as together we mark the advancement of a highly sustainable development in the heart of the region. Three Chamberlain Square will set the standard for sustainability going forward and underscores our commitment to innovative design and environmental responsibility.
“The eye-catching, terracotta façade and outside-inside design is also a great addition to a growing and prosperous Birmingham City Centre. The transformation of the Paradise estate is proving to be a once in a generation piece of regeneration at the very heart of the city.”
As Paradise opens its doors to various community groups during the week of the topping out event, it reinforces its dedication to engage with and involve the local community in its journey towards sustainability and net-zero.