The winning team in a competition to design the public space throughout the 17 acres of the Paradise Circus project has been announced at MIPIM in Cannes by Argent’s Managing Partner, David Partridge.
After careful deliberation of entries from landscape architects GROSS MAX, Grant Associates, Gillespies and Gustafson Porter by the judging panel, it is the submission from Grant Associates that has secured the appointment.
David Partridge said: “All the entries were of the highest quality and clearly followed the brief to create a world class public realm that would complement the listed historical and contemporary new buildings.
“The appointment of a landscape architect is a significant milestone in the project and I would like to congratulate all the firms for the considerable time, effort and resources they put into their submissions.”
Speaking for Grant Associates, Director Peter Chmiel said: “We are thrilled and delighted to be appointed as landscape architects for Paradise Circus. This is a high profile project right in the heart of Birmingham and the public realm is a vital part of it. Grant Associates look forward to working with the team and will ensure that the public space creates the best possible setting for this development and its wider environment.”
The announcement at MIPIM was accompanied by news that an Architects Competition is also to be held for the design of one of the buildings to be constructed during the first phase of the development.
The competition will see four architectural practices submit designs for the first building on plot D. As the scheme’s master-planners, Glenn Howells Architects has already been appointed for the design of the building in plot E. Both buildings will overlook Chamberlain Square.
The shortlisted firms are: Associated Architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), Eric Parry and Piercy & Co.
Chris Taylor, CEO of Hermes Real Estate Investment Management Limited (HREIML) said: “Design is an essential element in making Paradise Circus a desirable venue. Therefore, the next key step is to secure a first class architect to work alongside those already appointed to undertake the public realm works.
“We are looking for an exemplary design with practical solutions befitting the historic civic centre of Birmingham – helping to make Paradise Circus a place of international renown.”
Architect Glenn Howells will be a member of the judging panel: “I feel fortunate to have been a part of the Paradise Circus project since its very beginning and I am proud to have been invited to assist with the selection of the architect for one of the first buildings, as well as being responsible for the design of the other. I am really looking forward to viewing the submissions from these award-winning architects. The entire industry is aware of the Paradise Circus project and the winning design is certain to receive a tremendous amount of attention.”
The winning practice will be announced later this year.
Marking yet another milestone in the rapidly moving progress of the scheme, Paradise Circus General Partner Ltd, the joint venture company formed for the project, is also procuring the contractors for the enabling and first phase infrastructure work on the site. There is a programme to start the enabling works in the autumn and Phase One infrastructure works early next year.
The transformation of Paradise Circus is being taken forward through a Joint Venture Company between Birmingham City Council and BT Pension Scheme (BTPS), managed by HREIML. Argent is managing the design and delivery of the site works on behalf of the Joint Venture Company as well as being the Development Manager for BTPS for the commercial buildings.