Drum rolls for Hammerson in Birmingham
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 year, with 2025 the target date for completion.
Harry Badham, Hammerson’s chief development and asset repositioning officer, said: “This project is the next step in Hammerson’s vision to transform our Birmingham estate, creating a truly multi-use asset that thrives due to its relevance and diversity.
“Inspired by the 15-minute city concept, Drum is also an original and highly important evolution of workplaces, built on the principles of connectivity, amenities and sustainability.”
Make founding partner Ken Shuttleworth said: “We have been creatively considering how we rethink big box retail within city centres to ensure we can enliven these key spaces and draw people back into the workplace by prioritising wellbeing and dynamism. We have applied this here so the design for Drum goes beyond a traditional workspace in every sense.”
Cushman & Wakefield represent Hammerson for office lettings; while Bruce Gillingham Pollard handle hospitality and leisure lettings within Drum.
