V Building

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The V Building (formerly known as Arena Central Tower and briefly as Arena Square Tower) is a 51 storey residential skyscraper proposed to be built on Broad Street in the city centre of Birmingham, United Kingdom as part of a larger development called Arena Central.

It will be located next to Alpha Tower which is one of the tallest buildings in Birmingham. The total cost of the entire development is expected to be £500 million and the tower, £150 million.

1 Original proposal
2 Redesign and a new proposal
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Original proposal

The tower was not part of the original plan for Arena Central which was submitted in 1998 by Miller Group. No buildings in the design were taller than 20 storeys. However, the design was soon changed and a tower was incorporated later into the year. The latest design, by HOK Architects, saw a 50 storey tower which had a total height of 245 metres to the top of the spire. This would make the tower the tallest building in Birmingham and England (in 2000) and one of the tallest in Europe. The building was referred to Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott in 2000 who disapproved of the tower and forced it to be scaled down to 187 metres. The amendments to the design were made and the entire scheme later received outline planning consent.

The 9/11 attacks of 2001 resulted in a number of setbacks for the project and it was significantly delayed. The building was considered a potential terrorist target if constructed and in consequence, the Hampton Trust pulled out of the project as part owners. No news about the development was released for two years.

In 2003, Andy Ruhan of Bridgewaters Capital was found as a partner and papers were signed in 2004^[1]. In December 2004, planning permission, which would have run out for the tower in February 2005, was extended to December 2010.

[edit] Redesign and a new proposal

Due to the problems the project encountered, a new masterplan was being produced and Australian company, Multiplex was awarded the contract for construction of the tower^[2] ^[3]. The masterplan was unveiled in 2006 however did not specifically outline the details of individual buildings. A model of tower was present in the models however features such as detail and the roof feature were not on the images released. The shape of the tower in the models confirmed that the design by HOK Architects was not to be used. It was described as going to appear as if it "is squeezed in the middle creating two bulges."

A news article in the Estate Gazette on June 17, 2006 stated that the height of the tower will be 175 metres and the Civil Aviation Authority agreed that they would not have any problems with the tower if it was 175 metres tall however they would have to comment on the planning application if it did go any taller. Other news articles have also said that the tower will be of 47 storeys however whether this is in reference to the old design or the new design is unknown.

In September 2006, it was revealed that despite Miller producing profits, the construction would be delayed yet again^[4]. It was also revealed that the tower will be the first constructed part of the development due to the lack of demolition needed on the site.

Eric Kuhne was appointed by Dandara Ltd to design the form, the façades, the public realm, the lobbies, and commercial tenancies of the tower. The apartments and the technical delivery is by Scott Brownrigg Architects, who Eric Kuhne and Civic Arts Architects are collaborating with.

The completion date was for 2009 however with the setbacks it is unlikely the completion would be this early as the project for Arena Central covers a much larger area.

On February 12, 2007, Arena Central Developments were granted a 250 year lease on the land by Birmingham City Council^[5].

Models of the tower have been created Pipers and the design is different to what was quoted as having been "squeezed in the middle creating two bulges". Instead the design featured a tower of a 'V' shape rising from the base. It was unveiled at the MIPIM show in Cannes, France in March 2007^[6] ^[7] ^[8].

[edit] See also

List of tallest buildings and structures in Birmingham

[edit] References

^ Hampton Sell Arena Central - Skyscrapernews.com, February 28, 2003 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ Mulitplex To Get Arena Central Contract - Skyscrapernews.com, July 22, 2004 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ Arena Central Tower back on track - Emporis.com, July 20, 2004 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ Miller group figures up again - Birmingham Post, September 14, 2006 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ City's tallest building granted lease - Birmingham Post, February 13, 2007 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ A v-exciting new look for Brum - Birmingham Mail, March 14, 2007 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ Kuhne's Arena Central tower unveiled at MIPIM - Building, March 15, 2007 (Accessed March 18, 2007)
^ City's tallest skyscraper on show - BBC News, March 14, 2007 (Accessed March 18, 2007)