Wates completes 33-storey skyscraper in Birmingham city centre
Wates completes 33-storey skyscraper in Birmingham city centre
Wates has officially announced the launch of one of Birminghams most significant and complex projects of the past decade, Bank Tower.
The 33-storey skyscraper the tallest single-use residential building in the city has created a new landmark in the citys skyline and represents an important step in the regeneration of Birminghams Westside, around Broad Streets entertainment quarter.
Having completed the first tower in 2018, the team at Wates worked in close partnership with Regal Property Group, who purchased the site in the mid-2000s, and real estate company Aprirose to successfully deliver the second phase of the project on budget and within the timeframe.
The site underwent a number of changes prior to starting construction. Originally intended as an 18-storey hotel, planning was then submitted for a 31-storey residential tower to meet demand for accommodation in the city centre. A two-storey crown structure, containing 12 high-specification, loft-style penthouses, was then added to capitalise on the views over the city.
Wates also overcame a number of challenges that arose as a result of having to work on a highly confined, city centre site next to one of Birminghams busiest thoroughfares, Broad Street.
With limited on-site material storage and access for just one articulated lorry, the team developed a comprehensive logistics strategy to cope with the added constraints of the site, as well as liaising extensively with Birmingham City Council Highways Department for crane installations during pre-construction.
More than £75,000 was invested in engaging local social enterprises as part of the supply chain during the construction of The Bank development and 13 recruits a number of whom faced barriers to employment such as criminal convictions – completed Wates two-week Building Futures careers programme, helping them gain valuable workplace skills and experience.
John Carlin, Regional Managing Director, Wates Construction Midlands, said:
While Bank Tower is undoubtedly one of the most complex projects weve worked on in recent years, it is also one of the developments that we are most proud of as a team.
High quality, high-rise living is one of our specialties at Wates, and throughout construction our teams sector expertise and close collaboration with the client meant that we were able to meet their ambitious vision for this project. The result is a landmark development in Birminghams rapidly evolving skyline.
The Bank is an exemplar development for the city and by a client committed to a quality agenda. We are looking forward to working alongside Regal again on other exciting projects in the future.
Regal Property Group’s Mark Holbeche said:
When we set out to create The Bank we wanted to fashion a striking development which would set a new benchmark for city living in Birmingham.
“Were extremely proud of The Bank and number of apartments we have already sold in both towers is testament to the quality of this development.
“This has been a key project for us in Birmingham and we are grateful to Wates Construction and the wider consultant team for their energy, passion and expertise in delivering this excellent scheme.”
