Brindleyplace
Encyclopedia
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
side development, in the Westside district of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is often written erroneously as Brindley Place, the name of the street (in turn named after the 18th century canal engineer James Brindley
James Brindley
James Brindley was an English engineer. He was born in Tunstead, Derbyshire, and lived much of his life in Leek, Staffordshire, becoming one of the most notable engineers of the 18th century.-Early life:...
) around which it is built. It was developed by Argent Group PLC
Argent Group PLC
Argent Group plc is a leading UK-based property developer founded in 1981. The company was formed as an investment for the pension fund of British Telecom, and was responsible for the redevelopment of Brindleyplace in Birmingham and developments around Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester.Current...
from 1993 onwards.
In addition to shops, bars and restaurants, Brindleyplace is home to the National Sea Life Centre
National Sea Life Centre (Birmingham)
The National Sea Life Centre is an aquarium with over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, England. Its one-million-litre ocean tank houses giant green sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks and tropical reef fish, with a fully transparent underwater tunnel. The...
, Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
, Orion Media
Orion Media
Orion Media is a UK commercial radio group run by radio veteran Phil Riley and backed by Lloyds TSB Development Capital. It was created from the enforced sale of several radio stations in the English Midlands owned and operated by Global Radio.-History:...
(including BRMB
Brmb
brmb is a local radio station based in Birmingham, UK, owned and operated by Orion Media. The station broadcasts on 96.4 FM, DAB Digital Radio in the West Midlands and online...
and Mercia), Ikon Gallery
Ikon Gallery
The Ikon Gallery is an English gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham. It is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic former Oozells Street Board School, designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1877. The gallery's current director is Jonathan Watkins.Ikon was set up to...
of art and a Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is a chain of hotels trademarked by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Garden Inns are considered to be upscale mid-priced hotels that are designed for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel brand is similar to that of the Courtyard by Marriott brand, a key competitor...
. The site covers 17 acres (69,000 m²) of mixed-use redevelopment on a grand scale - the UK's largest such project. The Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line Canal
BCN Main Line
The BCN Main Line, or Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line describes the evolving route of the Birmingham Canal between Birmingham and Wolverhampton in England....
separates Brindleyplace from the International Convention Centre
International Convention Centre, Birmingham
The International Convention Centre is a major conference venue in central Birmingham, England. The centre includes Symphony Hall and it faces Centenary Square. The building has another entrance leading to the canals of Birmingham. The Convention Quarter area, which includes Brindleyplace, is...
, although there are linking bridges. The National Indoor Arena
National Indoor Arena
The National Indoor Arena is a large indoor arena and is owned by the NEC Group. It is situated in central Birmingham, England and was opened in 1991, as the largest indoor arena at the time in the UK...
, Old Turn Junction
Old Turn Junction
Old Turn Junction is a canal junction in Birmingham, England, where the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal meets the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line Canal....
and bustling bars of Broad Street
Broad Street, Birmingham
Broad Street is a major thoroughfare and popular nightspot in Birmingham City Centre, United Kingdom. Traditionally, Broad Street was considered to be outside Birmingham City Centre, but as the city centre expanded with the removal of the Inner Ring Road, Broad Street has been incorporated into...
are nearby and it is easily accessible and within walking distance of the main bus and train routes.
History
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council
The Birmingham City Council is the body responsible for the governance of the City of Birmingham in England, which has been a metropolitan district since 1974. It is the most populated local authority in the United Kingdom with, following a reorganisation of boundaries in June 2004, 120 Birmingham...
's aim was to create an environment of water features, walkways and new office and leisure buildings, that would open out onto the adjacent canal. The scheme was assembled by the council in the 1980s. The council were also seeing success with the construction of the International Convention Centre
International Convention Centre, Birmingham
The International Convention Centre is a major conference venue in central Birmingham, England. The centre includes Symphony Hall and it faces Centenary Square. The building has another entrance leading to the canals of Birmingham. The Convention Quarter area, which includes Brindleyplace, is...
with the Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Symphony Hall is a 2,262 seat concert venue located inside the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, England. It was officially opened by the Queen in June 1991, although had been opened on April 15, 1991. It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hosts around 270 events...
, and the National Indoor Arena
National Indoor Arena
The National Indoor Arena is a large indoor arena and is owned by the NEC Group. It is situated in central Birmingham, England and was opened in 1991, as the largest indoor arena at the time in the UK...
. A development brief was drawn up, identifying the site as an area to attract people to compliment the convention centre.
Initial proposals were drawn up by Merlin, who teamed with developers Shearwater. However, Merlin pulled out of the scheme and were replaced by Rosehaugh
Rosehaugh
Rosehaugh was a major property developer in the City of London and the Docklands in the 1980s and 1990s.The company became known because of its involvement in major redevelopment projects, such as the redevelopment of much of the Docklands and Surrey Quays , Lewisham as well as a number of high...
. Rosehaugh had paid £26 million for the site in 1990. Rosehaugh revised Merlin's retail-led scheme to include more office space and a residential element. By 1992, a detailed set of proposals which included retailing and restaurants with a central square had been agreed. However, Rosehaugh went into receivership by the end of the year. Argent took over the scheme, paying £3 million to the receivers. Argent slightly amended the plans by separating the residential element from the rest of the scheme and commencing construction of the Water's Edge first, along with an office building.
By 1995, when Argent refinanced the scheme, the land value was back over £25 million. The Water's Edge was trading successfully and the housing element, Symphony Court, had sold all of its units. The price for the average family house in the scheme was over £200,000. Short term finance was supplied by Hypobank.
Buildings
Terry Farrell (architect)
Sir Terry Farrell, CBE, RIBA, FRSA, FCSD, MRTPI is a British architect.-Life and career:Farrell was born in Sale, Cheshire. As a youth he moved to Newcastle upon Tyne, where he attended St Cuthbert's High School. He graduated with a degree from Newcastle University, followed by a Masters in urban...
. Buildings one, two, four and six Brindleyplace together with the Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is a chain of hotels trademarked by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Garden Inns are considered to be upscale mid-priced hotels that are designed for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel brand is similar to that of the Courtyard by Marriott brand, a key competitor...
were all built by Carillion, as was the conversion of the Ikon Gallery
Ikon Gallery
The Ikon Gallery is an English gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham. It is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic former Oozells Street Board School, designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1877. The gallery's current director is Jonathan Watkins.Ikon was set up to...
from a Victorian school.
All the buildings are lowrise with the tallest being Three Brindleyplace at 55 metres (180 ft). Eight Brindleyplace is the second tallest with a height of 52 metres (171 ft), although it has more floors than Three Brindleyplace. Both of these buildings will be surpassed in height upon the completion of Eleven Brindleyplace.
| Building | Architect | Usage | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Square | Townshend Landscape Architects Townshend Landscape Architects Townshend Landscape Architects are a London-based Landscape Architecture practice established in 1988 by Robert Townshend. The practice specialises in landscape architecture, masterplanning and urban design in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Far East and South America.Projects of note include More... |
Square Town square A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,... |
?? |
| Crescent Theatre Crescent Theatre The Crescent Theatre is a small, amateur theatre run mostly by volunteers, based in Sheepcote Street, Brindleyplace in Birmingham, England.It houses one of the oldest theatre companies in the city: The Crescent Theatre Company. The Crescent also plays host to numerous visiting companies every year,... |
Terry Farrell Terry Farrell (architect) Sir Terry Farrell, CBE, RIBA, FRSA, FCSD, MRTPI is a British architect.-Life and career:Farrell was born in Sale, Cheshire. As a youth he moved to Newcastle upon Tyne, where he attended St Cuthbert's High School. He graduated with a degree from Newcastle University, followed by a Masters in urban... /John Chatwin |
Theatre Theatre Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance... |
1998 |
| Oozells Square | Townshend Landscape Architects Townshend Landscape Architects Townshend Landscape Architects are a London-based Landscape Architecture practice established in 1988 by Robert Townshend. The practice specialises in landscape architecture, masterplanning and urban design in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Far East and South America.Projects of note include More... |
Square Town square A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,... |
?? |
| Water's Edge | Benoy Benoy Benoy is an international firm of architects, masterplanners, retail auditors, visualisers, interior and graphic designers working from design studios in the United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore... |
Retail Retail Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be... |
September 1994 |
| Multi-storey car park | Benoy Benoy Benoy is an international firm of architects, masterplanners, retail auditors, visualisers, interior and graphic designers working from design studios in the United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore... |
Car park | ?? |
| Ikon Gallery Ikon Gallery The Ikon Gallery is an English gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham. It is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic former Oozells Street Board School, designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1877. The gallery's current director is Jonathan Watkins.Ikon was set up to... |
Levitt Bernstein Levitt Bernstein Levitt Bernstein Associates is an English architectural design firm, established in 1968, by David Levitt and David Bernstein. The practice is known for its residential and arts projects, having won awards for both... |
Art museum | 1997 |
| Brindleyplace Café | CZWG | Café Café A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches... |
?? |
| Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Garden Inn is a chain of hotels trademarked by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Garden Inns are considered to be upscale mid-priced hotels that are designed for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel brand is similar to that of the Courtyard by Marriott brand, a key competitor... |
Hulme Upright Weedon | Hotel Hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms... |
2000s |
| Symphony Court | Lyons Sleeman Hoare | Residential | 1995 |
| National Sea Life Centre National Sea Life Centre (Birmingham) The National Sea Life Centre is an aquarium with over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, England. Its one-million-litre ocean tank houses giant green sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks and tropical reef fish, with a fully transparent underwater tunnel. The... |
Foster and Partners Foster and Partners Foster + Partners is an architectural firm based in London. The practice is led by its founder and Chairman, Norman Foster, and has constructed many high-profile glass-and-steel buildings.... |
Aquarium Aquarium An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants... |
June 1996 |
| Austin Court (IET Institution of Engineering and Technology The Institution of Engineering and Technology is a British professional body for those working in engineering and technology in the United Kingdom and worldwide. It was formed in 2006 from two separate institutions: the Institution of Electrical Engineers , dating back to 1871, and the... ) |
Roger Beale | Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
March 1997 |
| Greenall's | John Dixon & Associates | Pub Public house A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller... |
2000s |
| One Brindleyplace | Anthony Peake Associates | Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
October 1995 |
| Two Brindleyplace | Allies and Morrison Allies and Morrison Allies and Morrison is a London-based architectural practice founded by Bob Allies and Graham Morrison in 1984. The practice is now headed up by 10 Partners and employs around 210 people in their purpose designed studios at 85 Southwark Street... |
Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
June 1997 |
| Three Brindleyplace | Demetri Porphyrios Demetri Porphyrios Demetri Porphyrios is a Greek architect and author who currently practises architecture in London as principal of the firm Porphyrios Associates. In addition to practice and writing, Porphyrios has held a number of teaching positions in the United States, the United Kingdom and Greece. He is... |
Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
April 1998 |
| Four Brindleyplace | Stanton Williams Stanton Williams Stanton Williams is an English architectural and design practice based in Islington, London.Established in 1985 by Alan Stanton and Paul Williams, the studio now has a team of over 50 people with five directors and six associates. Paul Williams is the first design-trained architect to be registered... |
Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
1999 |
| Five Brindleyplace | Sidell Gibson Partnership | Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
1996 |
| Six Brindleyplace | Allies and Morrison Allies and Morrison Allies and Morrison is a London-based architectural practice founded by Bob Allies and Graham Morrison in 1984. The practice is now headed up by 10 Partners and employs around 210 people in their purpose designed studios at 85 Southwark Street... |
Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... and retail Retail Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be... |
2000 |
| Seven Brindleyplace | Porphyrios Associates Demetri Porphyrios Demetri Porphyrios is a Greek architect and author who currently practises architecture in London as principal of the firm Porphyrios Associates. In addition to practice and writing, Porphyrios has held a number of teaching positions in the United States, the United Kingdom and Greece. He is... |
Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
2004 |
| Eight Brindleyplace | Sidell Gibson Partnership | Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
2002 |
| Nine Brindleyplace | Associated Architects Associated Architects thumb|right|Associated Architects' Offices at [[The Mailbox]], Birminghamthumb|right|RIBA Award Winner 2009, David Wilson LibraryAssociated Architects is a leading architectural firm based in Birmingham, England. The practice has a broad portfolio of work including arts, commercial offices, housing... |
Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
1999 |
| Ten Brindleyplace | Sidell Gibson Partnership | Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
2004 |
| Eleven Brindleyplace | Glenn Howells Architects | Office Office An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the... |
2009 |
Office buildings
One Brindleyplace
One Brindleyplace is a five storey office building fronting onto Broad Street and is occupied by Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank AG is a global financial service company with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the emerging markets...
. It provides 68553 square feet (6,368.8 m²) of office space and 134 car parking spaces. It was the only new office building to be completed in Birmingham in 1995.
Two Brindleyplace
Two Brindleyplace is a six storey office building with 75000 square feet (6,968 m²) office space. It is built of Marshalls clay brick. The brickwork is a free-standing 9 inches (23 cm) Flemish bond. By utilizing a 9 inches (23 cm) outer leaf it was possible to carry, wind loads between floors (3.9 m) and tie the brickwork laterally to the floor plates only. More than 1,000 Lloyds Banking GroupLloyds Banking Group
Lloyds Banking Group plc is a major British financial institution, formed through the acquisition of HBOS by Lloyds TSB in 2009. As at February 2010, HM Treasury held a 41% shareholding through UK Financial Investments Limited . The Group headquarters is located at 25 Gresham Street in London, with...
employees work in the building. The departments based at Brindleyplace include the International Department and Concerns. The entrance to the building is by revolving door with three pass activated revolving doors into the main building next to reception. The top floor houses a large canteen area with seating for around 150 staff.
Three Brindleyplace
Three Brindleyplace is occupied by GVA Grimley, Towers WatsonTowers Watson
Towers Watson is a global consulting firm. Its principal lines of business are risk management and human resource consulting. It also has strong actuarial, investment consulting, and reinsurance brokerage practices. The Towers Watson corporate offices are in New York, New York.Towers Watson was...
and Regus
Regus
Regus plc is a multinational corporation that provides serviced office accommodation in business centres worldwide. As of March 2011, it operates 1,100 business centres in 85 countries. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index...
. It has a full-height glazed atrium which consists of a light post-and-spandrel structure. There are three passenger lifts and 23 on-site car parking spaces. Construction commenced in 1996 and was completed in April 1998.
Four Brindleyplace
Four Brindleyplace consists of 114000 square feet (10,591 m²) of office space with a Bank restaurant and bar on the ground floor. Places Birmingham Lettings Agency, Deloitte & Touche, Michael Page, Mercer Human Resource Consulting and Perceptive Informatics are all tenants in the building. The services engineers were Hoare Lea & Partners, whilst Silk & Frazier were the quantity surveyors. It was the winner of the "Best of Best" award. It received top accolades in the British Council for Offices Awards 2000 and finalist status in the 2004 Brickwork Awards.Five Brindleyplace
Five Brindleyplace was pre-let to BTBT Group
BT Group plc is a global telecommunications services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world and has operations in more than 170 countries. Through its BT Global Services division it is a major supplier of...
in 1994 with design work starting in December of the same year. Construction began in June 1995. BT moved into the offices in February 1997 and used it as their regional headquarters. It provides 120000 square feet (11,148 m²) of office space. The construction used the curtain walling system. Argent worked with BT to provide 'green' features such as an upflow air conditioning system with heat recovery, openable windows and energy saving lighting and controls. BT vacated the building at the beginning of 2011.
Six Brindleyplace
Six Brindleyplace provides 92000 square feet (8,547 m²) of office space as well as offering to retail units that look over Oozells Square. The Thai Edge, which is one of these restaurants, opened in 2000. Whilst the concept architect was Allies and Morrison, the production architect was Weedon PartnershipHarry Weedon
Harold William "Harry" Weedon was an English architect. Although he designed a large number of buildings during a long career, he is best known for his role overseeing the Art Deco designs of the Odeon Cinemas for Oscar Deutsch in the 1930s...
. Curtins Consulting Engineers were the structural engineers. It cost £12.3 million.
Seven Brindleyplace
Seven Brindleyplace provides 85000 square feet (7,897 m²) of office space. Construction commenced in 2002 and lasted two years. The building has a steel frame with external walls in a self-supporting brick construction with ashlar stone rustication and stone dressings. The windows are detailed in metal, as is the top storey and terminated cornice.Eight Brindleyplace
Construction began on Eight Brindleyplace in July 2000. It provides 92000 square feet (8,547 m²) of office space, situated below 35 fully serviced apartments, in addition to ground floor retail and restaurant units. The 14 storey structure is split into nine floors of office space and five floors of residential apartments. Glamalco installed a variety of Kawneer's precision-engineered curtain walling and window products throughout the building in a partnering contract with Argent valued at approximately £1.1 million.Nine Brindleyplace
Nine Brindleyplace consists 26800 square feet (2,490 m²) of restaurant space, 43000 square feet (3,995 m²) of office space and 60 parking spaces. It looks over Broad Street. It is the location of Number Nine the Gallery, a modern and fine art gallery established in 1999 by Lee Benson. It is also home to Unity Trust BankUnity Trust Bank
Unity Trust Bank Plc provides specialist banking services to trades unions and charities in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1984; head office is located at Nine Brindleyplace in Birmingham....
, Orion Media
Orion Media
Orion Media is a UK commercial radio group run by radio veteran Phil Riley and backed by Lloyds TSB Development Capital. It was created from the enforced sale of several radio stations in the English Midlands owned and operated by Global Radio.-History:...
including the studios of two radio stations, brmb
Brmb
brmb is a local radio station based in Birmingham, UK, owned and operated by Orion Media. The station broadcasts on 96.4 FM, DAB Digital Radio in the West Midlands and online...
& Mercia, Piccolino Restaurant and Bar and EAT.
EAT.
EAT. is a chain of sandwich shops with over 90 branches in the UK, the majority in London, with others in Birmingham, Brighton, Cambridge, Canterbury, London Heathrow Airport , Gatwick Airport, Leicester, Manchester, Windsor, Oxford and Edinburgh.The first shop was opened in October 1996 in...
on the ground floor.
Ten Brindleyplace
Ten Brindleyplace has 62000 square feet (5,760 m²) of office space as well as a 5000 square feet (465 m²) retail unit overlooking Broad Street. Sainsbury's LocalSainsbury's Local
Sainsbury’s Convenience Stores Ltd is a chain of 343 convenience stores operated by the UK's third largest supermarket chain Sainsbury's. Sainsbury's Local stores have different branding and fascia to the company's supermarkets.-History:In 1998, Sainsbury’s piloted its first Local store in...
and Natwest occupy the retail units on the ground floor.
RBS
Seven, Eight and Ten Brindleyplace are all owned by the Royal Bank of ScotlandRoyal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
and are all linked to form a core building. At the time that the company decided to rent all three buildings, only Eight Brindleyplace had been completed and was designed to be a standalone building. As a result, the windows that were removed from the building so that a connection to the other two could be formed were reused in Seven and Ten Brindleyplace as to not put the windows to waste.
Water's Edge
Water's Edge was the first building to begin construction in the Brindleyplace scheme. The building contains 60000 square metres (645,835 sq ft) of retail space along a canalside location, opposite the International Convention CentreInternational Convention Centre, Birmingham
The International Convention Centre is a major conference venue in central Birmingham, England. The centre includes Symphony Hall and it faces Centenary Square. The building has another entrance leading to the canals of Birmingham. The Convention Quarter area, which includes Brindleyplace, is...
. In 1995, it won the Top Honour Award for "Excellence on the Waterfront". It is believed that up to two million people visit The Water's Edge each year, spending up to £13.9 million.
Symphony Court
Symphony Court, developed by Crosby HomesCrosby Homes
Lend Lease Residential Development is the British residential development division of the Australia-based global property developer Lend Lease.-History:...
, is located on a triangle shaped site across the Brindley Loop Canal. Completed in 1995, it is noted as being one of the earliest city centre residential developments. The complex consists of 143 houses and apartments. It has gated private access. The value of the residences increased 250% in the first few years.
Eleven Brindleyplace
Glenn Howells
Glenn Howells is a British born architect. His practice, Glenn Howells Architects, has offices in Birmingham and London. Howells founded his practice in London in 1990 but later moved the main office to Birmingham in 1992....
and is located to the rear of the Novotel
Novotel
Novotel is a mid-scale hotel brand within the Accor group. Novotel has close to 400 hotels and resorts in 60 countries, situated in the business districts and tourist destinations of major international cities.-History:...
hotel. It was not included in the masterplan however has been described as a "key component" for the Brindleyplace scheme. There were some issues raised over the height of the tall building in the predominantly low rise Brindleyplace development. The distinctive glazed facade to Eleven Brindleyplace is now a feature of the development and was designed by CJN Consulting Engineers Ltd http://www.cjn.uk.com/. Construction commenced in February 2007 and the office building was topped out in May 2008. Argent, the developer, announced that they will be the first tenants to move into the building when it is completed in February 2009.
Squares
Brindleyplace consists of three public squaresTown square
A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,...
: Central Square, Oozells Square and Brunswick Square.
Central Square
ArtsFest
ArtsFest is an annual arts festival held in September in Birmingham, England.Since 1997 ArtsFest has brought together free short demonstrations of dance, music, film and theatre to concert halls, theatres, and open-air stages in various parts of central Birmingham...
which is held there annually. The square is paved in York stone and has a fountain featuring 38 jets of water.
Situated in the centre of the square is a Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee is a British coffeehouse company founded in 1971 by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa, as a wholesale operation supplying roasted coffee to caterers and specialist Italian coffee shops. Since 1995 it has been a subsidiary of Whitbread, since when the company has grown to over...
. Constructed of glass and steel, it has an "eye-shaped" footprint. The structure consists of a tubular steel frame which is glazed. The vertical structural columns meet the roof members which cross over at a ridge. This forms two canopies which mirror the footprint of the building. Forty people can be seated in the 14 metres (45.9 ft) by 7.6 metres (24.9 ft) cafe, with 100 also able to sit outside. The glazing consists of double glazed units with a white dot fritted outer pane. This reduces glare and solar gain.
Also in the square is a sculpture named "Aquaduct" by Miles Davies. Made of bronze and phosphor, the sculpture was the winning entry in a competition conducted by Brindleyplace Plc in conjunction with the Royal Society of British Sculptors. "Aquaduct" was the first of Davies' winning pieces to be unveiled in August 1995. Situated on a low stepped base, the sculpture is in two pieces and is in the form of an aqueduct
Aqueduct
An aqueduct is a water supply or navigable channel constructed to convey water. In modern engineering, the term is used for any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose....
. It is illuminated at night by recessed lighting. It was manufactured by Burleighfield Arts and supported by the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts (ABSA). The sculpture is 6.1 metres (20 ft) tall, 11.5 metres (37.7 ft) long and 30 centimetres (11.8 in) wide. The second work by Miles Davies in the Brindleyplace scheme is "Gates", which is a 4 metres (13.1 ft) tall, 3.8 metres (12.5 ft) long and 30 centimetres (11.8 in) wide, bronze and phosphor sculpture taking the shape of traditional lock gates on canals. Like "Aquaduct", it is a hollow construction.
Oozells Square
Oozells Square, receiving its name from Oozells Street that ran on the site before the development, features a channel of still water running diagonally which is lined by cherry treeCherry Tree
Cherry Tree may refer to:* A tree that produces cherries* An ornamental cherry tree that produces cherry blossomsPlaces* Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania, a borough in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States* Cherry Tree, Oklahoma...
s. Paul de Monchaux designed the stone sculptured seats and the pergola which are located in the square. The main entrance to the Ikon Gallery
Ikon Gallery
The Ikon Gallery is an English gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham. It is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic former Oozells Street Board School, designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1877. The gallery's current director is Jonathan Watkins.Ikon was set up to...
overlooks the square.
Brunswick Square
Brunswick Square is located to the west of the development. Whilst being a pedestrian-zone, it has vehicular access. It is overlooked by the Mint Hotel and forms the main entrance to Eleven Brindleyplace.Management
When the scheme was opened, Argent became that if the development was broken up and sold off separately, the public realm would be neglected. They took it upon themselves to manage the site in conjunction with GVA GrimleyGVA GRIMLEY
GVA is one of the largest commercial property advisers in the UK. It provides multi-disciplinary commercial property advice and services to clients in the public and private sectors....
, who also have offices at Three Brindleyplace. The annual budget for the management and maintenance of the public realm at Brindleyplace is £890,000, with the overall budget for the entire scheme being £4 million. Over 70 staff help maintain Brindleyplace.