Snowhill

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Snowhill

A view of Phase 3 from St. Chad's Cathedral
Building
Type Hotel, residential, office and retail
Architectural Style Postmodern
Location Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, England
Construction
Completed 2011
Height 138 metres (453 ft)
Floor Count 43
Main Contractor Kier Group
Design Team
Architect Glenn Howells and Sidell Gibson Architects
Structural engineer WSP
Quantity Surveyor Gleeds

Snowhill (often misspelled as Snow Hill) is a mixed-use development by Ballymore under construction between Snow Hill Queensway and Birmingham Snow Hill station in Birmingham city centre, England. The £500 million phased scheme is located on a surface car park adjacent to the railway station. As part of the project, St. Chad's Circus on the Inner Ring Road has been levelled to create a new square adjacent to St. Chad's Cathedral and a viaduct is being constructed alongside the station in preparation for the extension of the Midland Metro into the city centre.

Snowhill will consist of a mixture of Grade A office space, retail units, a hotel and residential apartments in four buildings. The two office buildings with retail units on the ground floor have been designed by Sidell Gibson Architects whilst the five star hotel and residential buildings have been designed by Birmingham based-Glenn Howells. An underground car park is being constructed beneath the site. Phase Two, the shorter of the two office buildings, is under construction and nearing completion whilst the Phase Four is due to begin construction in July 2008. Phase Three, which is the hotel and residential buildings, began construction in July 2007. Construction of the project is expected to be completed in 2011.[1]

Contents

[edit] Site and setting

[edit] History

Located near to Colmore Row, the site was once owned by the Colmore family who owned large areas of land to the north of the present city centre. The family began to establish road layouts and sell plots of land to builders in the 18th century. The site was one of the these plots and it became the location of Oppenheims Glassworks.[2] This is the earliest documented glassworks in Birmingham. The glassworks were built in 1757 by Mayer Oppenheim, a London merchant who moved to Birmingham in the same year and who patented red (ruby) glass in 1755.[3] The building ceased to be used as a glasshouse after 1780/81.[4] The site was later cleared to make way for the new Birmingham Snow Hill station. In 1970, Snow Hill station was redeveloped and the site became a surface car park and remained as such until construction work commenced.[5]

[edit] Site

The 1.48 hectare (3.65 acres) site which has been outlined for redevelopment runs along the eastern edge of Birmingham Snow Hill station, which marks the western boundary of the site. To the north, the site is bounded by Great Charles Street Queensway and St. Chads Circus on the Inner Ring Road, and to the east the site is bounded by Snow Hill Queensway. To the south the site is bounded by Colmore Circus. It is located between the City Core and the Gun and Jewellery Quarters. The level of the site drops significantly from Colmore Circus to St. Chad's Circus and also drops from Snow Hill Queensway to the railway station.[2]

[edit] Surroundings

1 Snow Hill Plaza is located on Snow Hill Queensway, directly opposite the Phase 3 site.
1 Snow Hill Plaza is located on Snow Hill Queensway, directly opposite the Phase 3 site.

There are a number of highrise buildings in the immediate vicinity including 1 Snow Hill Plaza. Other nearby highrise buildings include Colmore Plaza, on the site of the former Birmingham Post and Mail Building,[6] and Colmore Gate. Shorter buildings include the three office blocks at the entrance to Snow Hill station, Lloyd House - the West Midlands Police headquarters, The Wesleyan building[7] and 1 Colmore Square.[8] Nearby are the Colmore Row and Environs Conservation Area and the Steelhouse conservation area. St. Chad's Cathedral is a Grade II* listed building designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin.[9]

The area has close transport links. Snow Hill station is one of the three major railway stations in the city centre and provides through rail services to London Marylebone while the "Jewellery Line" provides services from Worcester/Stourbridge to Leamington Spa/ Stratford via Birmingham Moor Street railway station.[2] Snow Hill station is also the terminus of Line 1 of the Midland Metro which connects to Wolverhampton. The planned extensions of this line will take the Midland Metro on through the city centre to Five Ways and on to Dudley.[10] National Express West Midlands bus services operate along Snow Hill Queensway and Colmore Circus.[11] A coach station was planned for an undeveloped site opposite the rear of Snow Hill station, however, the plans were shelved[12] and the existing Digbeth Coach Station is to be redeveloped instead.[13]

[edit] Planning history

[edit] Development brief

On May 13, 2002, Birmingham City Council adopted the Snow Hill Development Brief for proposals on the site as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the Birmingham Unitary Development Plan.[2][14] The brief set out planning and urban design guidance for developers interested in developing the site. It also provided a framework for the future development of the wider area around St. Chad's Circus. In May 2002, the brief was adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the Birmingham Plan for use in determining planning applications for the site.[15] The development brief outlined a strategy which incorporated the extension of the Midland Metro light rail line and the conversion of Snow Hill Queensway to an 'urban boulevard'. In converting Snow Hill Queensway into an urban boulevard, St. Chad's Circus would be levelled to enhance the surroundings of St. Chad's Cathedral.[2] The development brief also stated that the development must consist of a series of buildings as opposed to one monolithic building. The tallest of these buildings should be 12 storeys and step down, avoiding the use of false ground levels.[2] An impression of the development was drawn by an artist for the development brief.[16]

[edit] Ownership

At the time of the production of the Snow Hill Development Brief, the site was owned freehold by Birmingham City Council and Railtrack. The brief proposed that the successful developer will be offered a long leasehold interest encompassing both freehold interests with vacant possession on completion.[2] Ballymore and Hammerson purchased the site for £63 million in 2002.[17]

[edit] Planning applications

The first of the planning applications was submitted by agents Drivers Jonas on behalf of Railtrack. The outline planning application was submitted on December 21, 2001, although it was not registered by the Planning Department at Birmingham City Council until January 30, 2002. The planning application brief on the Birmingham City Council website said:[18]

Office and residential development, ancillary A1, A3, A4, A5 and D2 uses, car parking & associated highway improvements

The planning committee resolved to grant planning permission, subject to Section 106 and Section 278 agreements, in April 2005.[19] Section 106 agreements were signed on December 15, 2007 between Birmingham City Council, RT Group and Anglo Irish Bank.[19] The planning application was approved on December 19, 2005, nearly four years after it was submitted. Along with approval, Railtrack were given 47 planning conditions.[18]

The applicant then made it clear that they intended to submit reserved matters planning applications for the four individual phases for the development. The first of these reserved matters planning applications was for the construction of an internal service road, covered car park, piazza deck and the erection of a tram viaduct. The planning application was submitted by GVA Grimley on behalf of RT Group Developments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Domaine Developments Limited, which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of Ballymore. It was submitted on January 25, 2006 and registered on the same day. The Birmingham City Council summarised the planning application as:[20]

Reserved matters application for siting, design and external appearance, regarding provision of internal service road, covered car park, piazza deck & erection of tram viaduct

The planning application was approved on March 9, 2006.[20]

The second reserved matters planning application was submitted by GVA Grimley on behalf of RT Group Developments. It was submitted on May 9, 2006 and registered by the Planning Department at Birmingham City Council on June 27, 2006. The planning application brief on the local authority's website said:[21]

Reserved matters application for siting, design, external appearance and landscaping, in connection with the erection of a 12 storey office building with B1(a) A1/A3/A4 uses at ground floor together with associated landscaping

The planning application was approved by the planning department on June 29, 2006.[21] The developers then sought to revise the masterplan to the site following property market changes, planning policy changes and changes in thoughts over the design of the scheme. The revised masterplan was approved by the council in July 2006.

The third planning application to be submitted was a detailed planning application indicating that the details of the proposal were different to what was approved in the outline planning application. It was submitted on January 23, 2007 by GVA Grimley on behalf of the RT Group. The planning application was registered on the same day. The council's website summarised the planning application details as:[22]

Detailed planning application for mixed-use development comprising 170 bedroom hotel (C1) standing 23 storeys in height (208 m AOD) and 332 residential apartments (C3) standing 43 storeys in height (260 m AOD) together with ancillary retail, leisure and conference facilities, landscaping and associated car parking

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment were invited to comment on the towers.[23] The planning application was deferred by the planning department on July 24, 2007 over Section 106 issues, which had been identified by planning officers prior to the agreement.[19] These issues were later resolved and the planning application was approved.[22]

Submitted on the same day as the third planning application, the third reserved matters planning application was submitted for an office building on Phase 4. The council's website summarised the planning application as:[24]

Reserved matters application for siting, design, external appearance and landscaping for second office building, car parking and associated landscaping, pursuant to outline planning permission C/00393/07/FUL

A detailed planning application requesting permission from the council to modify condition C10 of the outline planning permission to extend the height of the office building to 15 storeys was also submitted on the same day.[25] Both planning applications were approved on August 20, 2007.[25][24]

Following this, another planning application was submitted for a glazed 'winter garden' between office buildings one and two. It was submitted on November 6, 2007 by GVA Grimley on behalf of RT Group. It was registered on the same day. The consultation process ended on December 3, 2007 and the planning application was approved on December 11, 2007.[26]

The latest planning application to be submitted was to revise the planning application for the hotel and residential towers. The hotel tower is to be extended by 72 cm (28 in) in height and the footprint extended by 65 cm (26 in) to accommodate an extra 28 hotel rooms. The floor-to-ceiling heights will be reduced by 25 cm (10 in). The total floorspace in the development was increased by 1,747 m² (18,804.6 sq ft) to 53,086 m² (571,412.9 sq ft).[27] The planning application was submitted on February 25, 2008 and registered on the same day. It was summarised on the council's website as:

Revisions to planning permission C/00391/07/FUL to permit a 43 storey residential tower (260m AOD) and a 25 storey hotel tower (209m AOD) together with ancillary retail, leisure and conferencing facilities, landscaping and associated car parking

On April 10, 2008, it was deferred for an agreement over Section 106 payments.[27]

[edit] Architecture

[edit] Phase 1

The tram viaduct in June 2008 with P.C. Harrington portacabins on top for Phase 3.
The tram viaduct in June 2008 with P.C. Harrington portacabins on top for Phase 3.

Phase 1 consists of the construction of a tram viaduct alongside Livery Street car park to take the Midland Metro into the city centre. The viaduct will commence at Great Charles Street Queensway, adjacent to the bridge taking railway services into Snow Hill station, and run along the length of the Snowhill site. It will end at a piazza deck, from which the Midland Metro will leave the Snowhill site and go onto Colmore Circus if the extension of Line 1 is approved. The bridge that will carry the Midland Metro over Great Charles Street Queensway will be designed by a separate architects practice and be part of a separate planning application.[28] The viaduct will be covered in 50 mm (2 in) pebble ballast.[29] There will be 16 sets of reinforced concrete columns supporting the viaduct which consists of reinforced concrete beams and a reinforced concrete parapet. Beneath these will be a service road for deliveries to the retail units and the hotel.[30] For the construction of the viaduct, Tarmac Precast were awarded a £300,000 contract by Kier Build to manufacture 250 specially designed TY and TYE complimentary edge beams. The beams were manufactured over a six week period Tarmac Precast's Henlade site.[31] The service road will be tarmac, lined with precast concrete kerbs, separating the road from the concrete pavement for pedestrians.[32] The concrete deck that will carry the Midland Metro will be 650 mm (26 in) thick.[28] In total, the viaduct will be 220 m (722 ft) long and is being built by the Kier Group.[33] The viaduct was designed by Alan Baxter and Associates LLP consulting engineers with Sidell Gibson Architects,[28] and is estimated to cost £9 million.[34]

[edit] Phase 2

Phase 2 under construction in December 2007.
Phase 2 under construction in December 2007.

Phase 2, also known as One Snowhill, consists of the construction of a 12 storey, 26-metre (85 ft)[35] office and retail building. There are three basement levels with car parking facilities[36] and 11 floors of offices.[33] The office building was designed by Sidell Gibson Architects,[21] who were the concept architects and also by Fairhursts.[37] It is being built by Kier Group,[33] who won the £66 million contract in January 2007.[38] The building will have an overhanging, slanting wall, facing Livery Street car park. There will be a colonnade at the entrance,[39] the columns of which will be faced with reconstituted slate-coloured stone whilst the roof of colonnade will be a dark grey colour-coated metal panel soffit. Above the edge of the colonnade will be reconstituted slate-coloured stone panels and dark grey-coloured spandrel panels.[40] On the ground floor, there will be retail units with a varying floor to ceiling height. Above this, although below the roof of the colonnade, is the first office floor with a floor to ceiling height of 2,750 mm (108 in). All the office floors above this have the same floor to ceiling height. The entrance will be surrounded by clear glass with colour-coated metal frames.[40]

The windows are a mixture of clear glass and translucent insulated glass panels that are being fitted into dark grey colour-coated metal frames at random locations on the buildings façade. Covering the windows on the slanted wall are horizontal metal and glass solar fins whilst on the Snow Hill Queensway elevation, the solar fins are being fitted vertically. Between alternate floors there are colour-coated metal spandrel panels.[40]

At the top of the building will be the plant level, which will be hidden from view by a colour-coated metal screen. Around the edge of the building will be a metal or glass balustrade to hide the view of the window cleaning device.[40] Alongside the plant level will be a gantry. There will be a total of eleven lifts in the building, spread amongst two cores, with an additional core containing stairs leading to a ground floor fire exit. There will be two platform lifts on the ground floor for disabled people.[41]

It was announced in June 2006 that Ballymore had signed KPMG as the main tenant for One Snowhill. The accountancy firm is to rent 11,000 square metres (118,403 sq ft) of office space in the building on a 20 year term[42] on floors 7 to 11.[43] It was the largest pre-let in Birmingham since 2002[44] and the largest outside of London since 2003.[45] KPMG anticipates to commence the phased move of its 1,000 Birmingham workers to the building in 2009.[45]

[edit] Phase 3

Project team[46]
Position Company
Developer RT Group Developments
Architect Glenn Howells
Planning consultant GVA Grimley
Structural engineer WSP
M&E consultant Hoare Lea
Fire consultant Hoare Lea Fire
Acoustic consultants Hoare Lea Acoustics
Façade engineer Arup Façade Engineering
Access consultants Arup
Project managers Cheshire Shakeshaft Ltd.
Planning supervisor Gleeds
Quantity surveyor Gleeds
Rights to Light and
Party Wall surveyor		 BLDA
Environmental consultant Scott Wilson
Masterplanner Sidell Gibson Architects
Highways engineer Alan Baxter Associates
Landscape architect Macfarlane Wilder
Excavation of the site of Phase 3 in December 2007.
Excavation of the site of Phase 3 in December 2007.

Phase 3, also known as Three Snowhill, consists of the construction of a 43 storey apartment tower and 23 storey five star hotel. Both towers are connected by a bridge, one floor above the plaza level, and are also connected by basement levels beneath the plaza level. At these levels will be a variety of commercial and hotel accommodation with entrances from street level and the new public square. The towers are topped by two storeys of plant rooms. The communication equipment and maintenance equipment will generally be below the parapet level so that there is an uncluttered roof line. The designs for the towers were inspired by the products of the jewellery and crafts industry in the nearby Jewellery Quarter.[47] The bridge across the plaza level will mean that the entrance to the two towers is completely covered from all weather.

[edit] Residential element

The residential tower is 42½ storeys tall and will consist of one and two bedroom apartments with penthouse suites on the upper floors. It will be 137 m (449 ft) tall, becoming the second tallest building in the city, behind the BT Tower, and the tallest residential tower in the city.[48][49] The tower is slender and the curvature of the façade will respond to the changing effects of daylight. It will be covered in anodised aluminium panels, glass and polished concrete. The anodised aluminium sills will project 200 millimetres (8 in) from the building. The service area will be concealed by fritted glass spandrel panels, which will also accommodate the extract vents. The columns will rise from a polished concrete base on the ground floor. The top two floors will be surrounded by a light-weight perforated metal screen. There will be a total of 332 apartments in the tower, 10% of which shall be designed to be wheelchair accessible. There will be a single central core containing lifts and stairs.[47] The apartments will be sold on 125 year leases.[42]

[edit] Hotel element

The hotel tower will be accessed by two entrances, which will lead to a feature staircase leading up to reception. Level 1 will contain the main kitchens and restaurant, which will be located on the bridge. Ancillary accommodation, offices, plant rooms and storage areas will be located at lower basement levels. There will be a central lift core with offset stair and service cores. There will be a central corridor in the tower with hotel rooms either side. The corridor will be wide enough to allow wheelchairs to pass each other. The hotel will consist of a leisure club on basement level 2 which will also be available to the residents in the apartment tower. A 400-seat, 1,050-square-metre (11,302 sq ft)[50] conference facility will be provided at reception level and will be accessed directly from reception. As well as this, the hotel will also feature a 370-square-metre (3,983 sq ft) ballroom, four meeting rooms, a WestinWORKOUT Gym including a swimming pool, a spa, two restaurants, a bar and lobby lounge, one presidential suite and business centre.[50] The tower was designed to respond to the heights of the office buildings and 1 Snow Hill Plaza, stepping up in height to the taller tower.[47] The tower will be 82.75 m (271.5 ft) tall, becoming the tallest hotel tower in the city.[51] The hotel, which will have 198 rooms, will be Birmingham's first five star hotel.[52]

In November 2006, Cushman & Wakefield were appointed by Ballymore to select a management company to purchase and operate the hotel at Snowhill.[53] On January 4, 2008, Property Week reported that Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide had been appointed to operate the hotel under their Westin Hotels brand.[54] It will be the second Westin Hotel and the tenth Starwood Hotels & Resorts hotel in the UK.[50] DTZ and Berwin Leighton Paisners acted for Ballymore and CMS Cameron McKenna for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.[55]

[edit] Phase 4

The site of Phase 4 in June 2008.
The site of Phase 4 in June 2008.

Phase 4, also known as Two Snowhill, consists of the construction of a 15 storey, 75-metre (246 ft)[56] office and retail building. Phase 4 is almost identical to Phase 2 but with the addition of three extra floors. In the basement levels, there will be 146 car parking spaces and 100 cycle spaces. There will be a main core, which will contain six passenger lifts, and a second core with four lifts rising to level six. The atrium will rise the full height of the building and will be topped with a glass roof.[57]

In early 2008, it was reported that Ballymore may be in talks with law firm Wragge & Co and Barclays plc bank about taking up space within Phase 4. Wragge & Co were looking for 220,000 square feet (20,439 m²) of office space in the city and Barclays were looking for 100,000 square feet (9,290 m²).[58] On April 22, 2008, Wragge & Co announced that they will be taking 250,000 sq ft (23,226 m²) of office space over 11 floors on a 20-year lease with flexibility to accommodate up to 1,800 people at Two Snowhill. It is believed to be the largest pre-let agreement in Birmingham city centre. The company, which is currently based at Colmore Row, One Victoria Square and Bank House, will move into the building in 2011.[59][60]

[edit] Art wall

The art wall is a £1.5 million proposal to decorate the side of Livery Street multi-storey car park attached to Snow Hill station that faces the Snowhill site. Ballymore are to work with the Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace to arrange for artists to submit their ideas. An advisory panel will be set up to decide upon a final design.[61] Two designs were included in the planning application for phase 3 from artists Charles Hadcock and Art+Com. Hadcock's design also included a paving and seating arrangement inspired by his travels to Egypt. The design consists of tessellated concrete panels, with the seating areas consisting of these tessellated panels being raised above ground surface.[62] The design by Art+Com, named Drapescape, is inspired by the motion of leaves in the wind. It consists of a collection of plates that are moved from behind. The plates will be individually moved so that they create patterns or the names of historical or famous people from Birmingham appear along with quotes.[63] The art wall will be approximately 200 m (656 ft) long.[64]

[edit] Construction

Construction of Phase 2 with equipment in the foreground preparing the ground for construction of Phase 3. c. September 2007.
Construction of Phase 2 with equipment in the foreground preparing the ground for construction of Phase 3. c. September 2007.

[edit] Phase 1 and 2

Construction commenced on the site of Phases 1 and 2 in April 2006.[65]

Initially, it was proposed to use Insitu concrete flat slabs in the basement with a composite steel frame above podium level all on a 9m x 9m grid. However, as the top five floors had been prelet to KPMG, construction needed to be accelerated and water tightness on the upper levels needed to be achieved quicker. As a result, the plan was changed and the steel frame was started at basement level. However, the basement floors and column finishes were required to be concrete. A hybrid concrete flat slab and concrete encased steel column solution was used to achieve this as it allows the steelwork to continue for the upper floors with temporary bracing in the lower levels. As the concrete floors for the basement construction catch up, the temporary bracing is removed or built in.[66]

Once the steel columns were erected for the basement car park, the steelwork to the suspended ground floor was installed. Barrett then erected the 11 storey frame above this concrete base. Below the slab, Barrett Steel Buildings had already left studs on the columns which allowed Kier to erect the RC basement beams later on. For the steel frame, Barrett split the project into halves and erected three floors on one side before moving over to the other. This allowed the decking to be laid on the first side as well as the concrete floors. The programming meant Barrett was always erecting steelwork at least two levels ahead of the concreting team. The erection of steelwork was completed on Phase 2 by the end of 2007. The glass cladding is currently being installed.[37] Kier Group's contract is due to expire when the building is completed in February 2009.[67]

At the peak of activity, 200 construction workers were employed on the site. During construction, 2,800 tonnes of structural steel were used and 26,000 m² (279,862 sq ft) of soil was removed. 13,000 square metres (139,931 sq ft) of glazing, supplied from Germany and Italy, is being installed on the façade of the building.[68]

Two traditional topping out ceremonies took place on the building on April 11, 2008. In the first ceremony, executives from Ballymore and KPMG placed a yew sapling on the building's 11th floor in a ceremony that is thought to date back to the Viking times. The yew is said to be able to ward off evil spirits. However, the yew was placed in concrete and was not expected to survive. Later, Mike Whitby, the head of Birmingham City Council, screwed a golden bolt into place in one of the building's steel columns.[68]

[edit] Phase 3

The core to the residential tower on Phase 3 under construction in June 2008.
The core to the residential tower on Phase 3 under construction in June 2008.

When the planning application for Phase 3 was submitted, it was expected that construction would commence in July or August 2007.[69] Construction of Phase 3 commenced in July 2007. Bachy Soletanche Ltd, who received the £1.5 million contract, commenced work on the site by installing a deep contiguous piled wall around the site. The 220 m (722 ft) perimeter wall consists of 241 contiguous piles, which were chosen by project design consultant WSP. The piles are 750 millimetres (30 in) in diameter. The piles will hold back the ground that consists of a few metres of fill, then a 3 m (10 ft) to 5 m (16 ft) thick sand layer which becomes weathered sandstone further down. Because the bedrock slopes from 2 m (7 ft) to 14 m (46 ft) down across the site, the piles must be up to 17.5 m (57 ft) deep. As excavation on the site commenced, the company installed 70 ground anchors to the wall. Each of the anchors are 15 m (49 ft) long and 178 millimetres (7 in) diameter. These are for temporary support of the wall whilst the basement is being constructed. When construction is completed, they will remain. Some of the piles were drilled using a cased Large Diameter Auger (LDA) rotary bored piling method, while other parts of the wall were drilled using the Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) method. Alongside the contiguous piled wall, Bachy Soletanche Ltd also constructed ten 1,200-millimetre (47 in) diameter LDA plunge column piles and fourteen 750-millimetre (30 in) diameter bearing piles.[70]

Ten plunge columns were installed on the site for the main access ramp. These consisted of large, steel H-section columns surrounded by pea gravel within their pile casings. Bachy Soletanche installed a basic bored pile with casing and then used its special plunge column rig to achieve the 5 millimetres (0.20 in) accuracy needed for the positioning of the I section steel columns. A steel frame sitting on the casings, had three sets of hydraulic rams for precision adjustment of the central steel while it was fixed with around 5 m (16 ft) of concrete at the pile base. As site excavation progressed, these were slowly being exposed again. PC Harrington is doing the excavation and the concreting of the base whilst Altius will commence the main construction works.[71] The crane base for TC1, the second tower crane, was delivered to the site on January 30, 2008. The crane was assembled on February 16, however, not to the anticipated 82 m (269 ft).

The slipform structure was assembled on April 14, 2008 and construction of the core for the residential tower commenced on April 23, 2008. As of May 9, the core has risen above street level, and is continuing to rise.

[edit] Phase 4

The Soilmec SR-70 hydraulic rotary rig at work on the Phase 4 site.
The Soilmec SR-70 hydraulic rotary rig at work on the Phase 4 site.

Construction of Phase 4 is expected to commence in July 2008. As of May 2008, the site has been cleared of mobile cabins, and there is a small crane on site, along with diggers. On May 29, 2008, a Soilmec SR-70 hydraulic rotary rig owned by Bachy Solentache began work on drilling piles on the site.

[edit] St. Chad's Circus

The realignment and reconfiguration of St Chad's Circus on the Inner Ring Road freed up extra space on the Snowhill site to allow the construction of Phase 3. The contract for this work was awarded to Birse Civils.[72] A pedestrian crossings and a landscaped public square in front of St Chad's Cathedral are to be created as a result of the work. Work on the Snow Hill Queensway commenced on July 24, 2006 and the work on St Chad's Circus commenced on August 10, 2006 with the removal of the subways beneath the site. St. Chad's Circus was turned into two linked traffic signal controlled T-junctions. In addition, re-waterproofing and structural improvements to the St Chad's underpass were carried out above the tunnel. Work on Snow Hill Queensway was completed in January 2007. The St Chad's Circus slip roads were closed temporarily from January 14, 2007 to May 28, 2007.[73] Work on St Chad's Circus was expected to be completed in October 2007, however, good weather conditions resulted in work being completed in July 2007.[65][74] Landscape work on the new square was completed in December 2007[73] and was designed by Macfarlane Wilder.[75]

[edit] Equipment

The two tower cranes and the core at the construction site of Phase 2.
The two tower cranes and the core at the construction site of Phase 2.
Ground excavators preparing the ground for the construction of Phase 3.
Ground excavators preparing the ground for the construction of Phase 3.

The construction of Phase 2 is aided by two tower cranes on either side of the structure. The cranes used at Phase 2 are the Liebherr 200 EC-H10 and the flat top Liebherr 200 EC-B 10.[76]

For the work at basement level at Phase 3, Bachy Soletanche used two 50-tonne (49 LT) support cranes and two Bauer BG 22 piling rigs.[71] Construction of Phase 3 is being assisted by three tower cranes. The first crane to be assembled, TC3, is to be the shortest of the three tower cranes. It has a maximum height of 45 m (148 ft) and has a luffing jib. It was built in one stage. It is a free standing crane and will allow podium level construction. Once construction at podium level is completed, it will be dismantled and replaced by two number gantry joists.[77]

The second tallest crane, TC2, was initially be assembled to 68.5 m (225 ft) under the hook. This will allow the hotel tower to be constructed to level 12. It will then be extended in height to 99.8 m (327 ft) under the hook with a tie to the hotel tower at 53.4 m (175 ft) (level 11). This will allow the hotel tower to be constructed to full height. The tallest of the cranes, TC1, was expected to be initially be built to 82 m (269 ft) under the hook and to allow the residential tower to be built to level 14. However, it was constructed to a lower height. It will be extended to 113.4 m (372 ft) with a tie to the residential tower at 57.7 m (189 ft) up. This will allow the residential tower to be built to level 26. After this, it will be extended up to 130 m (427 ft) with an additional tie to the tower at 84.7 m (278 ft) (level 21). This will allow the tower to be built up to level 36. It will be extended again once more to 154 m (505 ft) with a third tie 114.7 m (376 ft) up (level 31), which will allow the tower to go to full height. It is expected that TC1 and TC2 will be dismantled at around the same time.[77]

TC3 and TC2 are Wolff 180B luffing jib tower cranes whilst TC1 has a fixed jib.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Living in Birmingham. Locate Birmingham. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Snow Hill Development Brief (pdf). Birmingham City Council Planning Department (May 2002). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  3. ^ Samuel Kurinsky. Glassmaking: A Jewish Tradition. HHF. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  4. ^ Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Impacts. Centro. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  5. ^ Supporting Information - Planning application number: C/06768/07/FUL, submitted 2007-11-06 (Accessed 2007-11-22)
  6. ^ Colmore Plaza. Skyscraper News. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  7. ^ The Wesleyan. Skyscraper News. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  8. ^ No.1 Colmore Square. Skyscraper News. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  9. ^ Images of England — details from listed building database (217553)
  10. ^ Midland Metro Phase 1 Extensions (pdf). West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority (24 April 2006). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  11. ^ Birmingham. Backpackers Ultimate Guide. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  12. ^ Great Charles Street - Draft Planning Guidelines. Birmingham City Council. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  13. ^ Digbeth coach station - end of an era party. BBC Birmingham. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  14. ^ Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension Etc) Order - Inspector's Report. Department for Transport. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  15. ^ Snow Hill Development Brief. Birmingham City Council. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  16. ^ Snow Hill - Artist's Impression. Birmingham City Council. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  17. ^ Ballymore gains consent for Birmingham’s Snow Hill. Property Week (2005-10-19). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  18. ^ a b Planning application number C/06465/01/OUT, submitted 2001-12-21 (Accessed 2007-11-21)
  19. ^ a b c Planning Obligation Agreement: S106 Heads of Terms. Planning application number: C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-11-22)
  20. ^ a b Planning application number C/00317/06/RES, submitted 2006-01-25 (Accessed 2007-11-21)
  21. ^ a b c Planning application number C/02799/06/RES, submitted 2006-05-09 (Accessed 2007-11-21)
  22. ^ a b Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-11-22)
  23. ^ Design review: Snow Hill, Building 3. CABE (2007-04-20). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  24. ^ a b Planning application number: C/00394/07/RES, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-11-22)
  25. ^ a b Planning application number: C/00393/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-11-22)
  26. ^ Planning application number: C/06768/07/FUL, submitted 2007-11-06 (Accessed 2007-11-22)
  27. ^ a b Planning application number: C/01073/08/FUL, submitted 2008-02-25 (Accessed 2008-04-26)
  28. ^ a b c Viaduct Bay Study Sheet 2 OP/209 Rev A - Planning application number: C/00317/06/RES, submitted 2006-01-25 (Accessed 2007-11-24)
  29. ^ Metro/piazza level OP/203 Rev A - Planning application number: C/00317/06/RES, submitted 2006-01-25 (Accessed 2007-11-24)
  30. ^ Elevation of Viaduct & new piazza OP/210 Rev A - Planning application number: C/00317/06/RES, submitted 2006-01-25 (Accessed 2007-11-24)
  31. ^ Tarmac Precast keeps Snowhill Development on track (January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  32. ^ Viaduct Bay Study Sheet 1 OP/208 - Planning application number: C/00317/06/RES, submitted 2006-01-25 (Accessed 2007-11-24)
  33. ^ a b c Kier Build secures £66m Snow Hill contract. Kier Group plc. (2007-01-15). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  34. ^ Metro bridges link with Birmingham city centre. Network West Midlands (2007-04-10). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  35. ^ Snow Hill Office Building One. Emporis. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  36. ^ MA-Building One Cross Sections AA and BB 240 Issue 5 - Planning application number C/02799/06/RES, submitted 2006-05-09 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  37. ^ a b Futuristic offices will transform city (pdf). New Steel Construction Magazine (January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-30.
  38. ^ Kier Build secures £66m Snow Hill contract. Kier Group (2007-01-15). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  39. ^ Building One cross section AA & BB 240 Issue 01 - Planning application number C/02799/06/RES, submitted 2006-05-09 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  40. ^ a b c d Bay studies Type 1 & 2 250 Issue 01 - Planning application number C/02799/06/RES, submitted 2006-05-09 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  41. ^ Ground floor plans 220 Issue 01 - Planning application number C/02799/06/RES, submitted 2006-05-09 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  42. ^ a b Marshall Taylor (2007-06-04). Ballymore Gains Approval for Birmingham Project. Commercial Property News. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  43. ^ Neil Nickolds (2008-02-03). Ballymore ploughs through at Snowhill. Emporis. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  44. ^ Neil Callanan (2006-06-25). Ballymore signs KPMG as main Birmingham tenant. The Post.ie. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  45. ^ a b Future Birmingham (pdf). Locate Birmingham (Spring 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
  46. ^ Design Statement Design Statement Design and Access Statement_iss1_revD.pdf Part 4 of 4 - Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  47. ^ a b c Design Statement Design Statement Design and Access Statement_iss1_revD.pdf Part 3 of 4 - Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  48. ^ Tallest residential tower planned. BBC News (2007-03-08). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  49. ^ Snow Hill Residential Tower. Skyscraper News. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  50. ^ a b c Starwood Hotels & Resorts Partnering with Developer Ballymore Properties Limited to Build a 198 room Westin Hotel in Birmingham, England. Hotel Online (2007-01-23). Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  51. ^ Snow Hill Hotel Tower. Skyscraper News. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  52. ^ Ballymore gets green light for Snow Hill phases two and three. Property Week (2007-05-17). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  53. ^ Hotel operator sought for Snow Hill, Birmingham. Cushman & Wakefield (2006-11-01). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  54. ^ Laura Chesters (2008-01-04). Brum moves up with first five-star hotel (subscription needed). Property Week. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  55. ^ Starwood adds five-star hotel to Ballymore's Snowhill scheme. PropertyEU (2008-01-23). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  56. ^ Snow Hill Office Building Two. Emporis. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  57. ^ Design Statement Design and Access Statement Part 1 of 2.pdf - Planning application number: C/00394/07/RES, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  58. ^ Neil Nickolds (2008-01-13). Wragge & Co turns to Snow Hill Office Two. Emporis. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  59. ^ John Duckers (2008-04-22). Wragge & Co sign up for Snow Hill development. Birmingham Post. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  60. ^ Wragge & Co decides on new HQ. Wragge & Co (2008-04-22). Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  61. ^ Supporting Statement Arts Proposal - Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  62. ^ 82739 1 C/00391/07/FUL Supporting Statement - Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  63. ^ 82739 2 C/00391/07/FUL Supporting Statement - Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)
  64. ^ Snowhill development approved in Birmingham. New City Skyline (2007-05-23). Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
  65. ^ a b Early finish for £400m roadworks. Birmingham Mail (2007-04-10). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  66. ^ Snow Hill. Curtins Consulting. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  67. ^ Snow Hill, Birmingham – Building 1. Kier Group plc. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
  68. ^ a b Steve Pain (2008-04-12). Snow Hill tower tops out with a double blessing. Birmingham Post. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  69. ^ Howells adds to Birmingham's towering ambitions. The Architects' Journal Online (2007-03-16). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  70. ^ Snow Hill development glides into action. WNIBi.com (2007-12-18). Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  71. ^ a b Adrian Greeman (2007-12-12). Down town. New Civil Engineer. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
  72. ^ Ballymore names Birse Civils for Snow Hill redevelopment. Birmingham Post (republished by Highbeam) (2006-01-16). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  73. ^ a b St Chad's Intersection / Snow Hill Queensway roadworks. Birmingham City Council. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  74. ^ City centre roadworks misery almost over (2007-05-31). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  75. ^ Snow Hill, Birmingham. Macfarlane Wilder. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  76. ^ Kier buys 17 new towers. Cranes Today. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  77. ^ a b Supporting Statement Crane Strategy - Planning application number C/00391/07/FUL, submitted 2007-01-23 (Accessed 2007-12-07)

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