Birmingham’s tallest tower crane has been given a festive makeover.
More than 9,000 flashing lights have been installed along the 36m (118ft) long front jib and 15m (50ft) of the crane at the Nat West Tower demolition site on Colmore Row.
The 100m (330ft) tall crane, supplied by Radius NFT, dominates the city centre skyline. It was erected over three days and two nights in September, to aid with the demolition of the redundant office building and make way for Rockspring Property Investment Managers LLP (Rockspring) and Sterling Property Ventures’ (Sterling) £60m 103 Colmore Row office tower.
Three highly skilled aerial technicians from Northampton-based Radius spent six-and-a-half hours installing 250m of LED lights, weighing more than 50kg, along the jib and counter-jib.
At 346 ft high, with the apex at 246 metres above sea level, 103 Colmore Row will be the tallest office building under construction in the UK outside London.
In addition to 211,000 sq ft of office space over 19 floors, the landmark development will include a 8,000 sq ft restaurant with a 3,250 sq ft ‘lantern’ space at the top of the building.
Eric Linden, European director at Rockspring, said: “We are planning to illuminate the lantern space at the top of the new building. The Christmas lights are a taste of what this could be like – they can be seen from miles away!”
James Howarth, managing director of Sterling, said: “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the start of our construction programme and the holiday season. Season’s Greetings Birmingham!”
The dazzling multi-coloured display will continue daily over the Christmas and New Year period.
Contractors on the scheme are H Smith (Engineers) Ltd. Quantem Consulting LLP are project managers.
Letting agents on the office space are Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank.