Work on One Chamberlain Square at Paradise Birmingham has restarted after the appointment of a new main contractor.
BAM Construction, which is currently building Two Chamberlain Square, will now manage the completion of One Chamberlain Square and the existing building supply chain. Work was halted on the building on 15 January 2018 when the original contactor, Carillion, went into liquidation.
The building, which topped out in December last year, will be handed over to leading international professional services firm PwC in early 2019 for its Birmingham office relocation.
The majority of subcontractors who were working on the building will now return from 23 March when BAM formally takes over the site.
Demolition contractor DSM has remained active on site at Paradise throughout the winter period maintaining the programme for Two Chamberlain Square.
Chris Taylor, Head of Private Markets at Hermes Investment Management, said: “Paradise Birmingham is one of the leading mixed use developments in the UK. This transformational scheme will create up to 10,000 new jobs as well as support thousands more across Birmingham and the region. Thanks to a sterling effort by the wider Paradise team and our supporting supply chain, we look forward to both of our first new buildings completing during 2019.”
Rob Groves, Regional Director of developer manager Argent, said: “Ever since Carillion went into liquidation on 15 January we have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure disruption to Paradise was kept to a minimum. Having BAM on board for the building along with remaining close to subcontractors and the supply chain means we are now able to move ahead with getting One Chamberlain Square completed as soon as we can. We will be very pleased to see contractors back on site later this month and the building progressing towards completion over the next year.”
Rod Stiles, Regional Director for BAM Construction in the Midlands, said: “Our work on Two Chamberlain Square started last month and having already taken on many of Carillion’s high calibre existing team we are now working closely with the existing supply chain to recommence construction on One Chamberlain Square as well. Our ability to work efficiently and fairly with the supply chain is one of the factors that distinguish BAM’s approach to collaborative construction and is an integral part of our ability to solve problems. Paradise Birmingham is a critical part of this city’s development. We’re delighted to be so intimately involved.”
Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, said: “Paradise Birmingham is central to our wider regeneration vision for the city. It is vital to the local economy, so to get a new main contractor on board in the shape of BAM to complete One Chamberlain Square is an important next step. This move not only supports existing jobs in the supply chain but also helps to secure local construction skills. Completing the first new buildings at Paradise next year will transform the historic civic space in the heart of the city and help us fulfil the potential of this vitally important development.”
At 1.8 million square feet, Paradise Birmingham will deliver up to ten new flagship buildings, offering offices, shops, bars, cafés, restaurants and a four star hotel across 17 acres. The Paradise Birmingham redevelopment is being brought forward through Paradise Circus Limited Partnership (PCLP), a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council. The private sector funding for Phase One and Two is being managed by Hermes Investment Management which has partnered with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) on the first phase of the development. Argent is the development manager.
Paradise Birmingham sits within the country’s largest city centre Enterprise Zone and has already benefited from investment by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) in enabling and infrastructure works.
