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  HOME I PRESS RELEASES I DEMOLITION UNDERWAY AT ST PAUL'S PLACE I 2 MAY 2006  
 

DEMOLITION UNDERWAY AT ST PAUL'S PLACE

PRESS RELEASES
 

Chord Developments has appointed Birmingham-based demolition firm DSM to undertake demolition and enabling works at its latest mixed-used scheme.

The 12-week contract, valued at £250,000, will clear the way for the development of 176 new apartments and 30,000 sq ft of office space in St Paul's Square, Birmingham.

Chord directors Geoff Shuttleworth and Chris Rosier survey demolition works at St Paul's Place.
L-R: Chord directors Geoff Shuttleworth and Chris Rosier survey demolition works at St Paul's Place.

The new scheme, St Paul's Place, is the biggest residential development in the historic square, and will breathe new life into a derelict factory fronting the eighteenth century St Paul's Church.

DSM will demolish the former M I Metals factory on Northwood Street, and the Thomas Walker building on St Paul's Square. The façade of the latter, a former bucklemaker, will be retained.

The 0.77 hectare/1.9 acre site fronts the Square, and is bounded by Northwood Street, Caroline Street and James Street.

According to Chris Rosier, director at Chord Developments, it is a complex site.

The retention of the red brick façade was not a planning requirement as the building is not listed. However, we felt it was in keeping with the Square and the Jewellery Quarter's industrial architecture and it was therefore appropriate for it to remain.

 

"In addition to this complication, it is a very tight city centre site. There are more than 20 party wall agreements, which gives an indication of the number of neighbouring occupiers," he added.

Solihull-based construction and engineering firm Costains has been awarded the £20m contract to design and build St Paul's Place.

The 176 Jewellery Quarter apartments will include a range of studios, one and two-bed apartments and two penthouses, set around two internal courtyards. These will feature sleek modern glass and state-of-the-art lighting. The gardens will be accessed via a footbridge from the car park, or from the marble entrance hall of St Paul's Square. There will also be a 24/7 concierge service.

There will be 141 secure parking spaces within the building. Pedestrian access will be off St Paul's Square, with vehicular access to each of the three other aspects.

The scheme was designed by Chord's in-house team and will combine the character of a period building set in an historic square, with cutting-edge architecture and interior design.

Chord has committed to spend £60,000 to improve lighting in St Paul's Square, and to install CCTV.

Chord Homes has worked with the Royal Bank of Scotland to deliver the scheme. The developer is currently on-site on another Jewellery Quarter development. JQ One, on the corner of Newhall Street and George Street, comprises 43 apartments, more than half of which have sold off-plan a year ahead of the scheme's completion.

The apartments at St Paul's Place will be priced from £125,000 - £900,000, with offices from £250 per sq ft/£2,500 per sq m. The accommodation will be ready for occupation from Summer, 2007.

 
2 MAY 2006
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