Drum rolls for Hammerson in Birmingham
17th January 2023 Hammerson has unveiled plans to convert 200,000 sq ft of past retail space into offices at Birmingham’s Grand Central. The real estate investment trust has teamed up with MAKE architects to design brand new plans for the shopping centre, submitting the application on Friday. John Lewis pulled out of the scheme last year in a huge blow to Birmingham and Grand Central. The new building would be called the Drum, in reference to the shape of its design. Hammerson hopes it will set the benchmark for city centre workplaces, utilising the best levels of amenity, connectivity, and ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance). The plans also propose that the 40,000 sq ft ground floor will be repurposed into a mixed-use hospitality space with a restaurant, bar, and food market. The proposals also accommodate a grocery store, gym, wellbeing amenities, flexible events space, and parking spaces for bicycles. Hammerson hopes that the redevelopment of an existing scheme will save approximately 14,000 tonnes of CO2, and are targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, an EPC A rating, a Gold WELL Building standard and WiredScore Platinum rating, to create a development which is 2030 LETI Band A-compliant. If approved, work would begin later this...
