Paradise Birmingham: New Public Realm Approved

We’ve seen the buildings planned for Paradise Birmingham, Phase 2, but have you seen the new public realm for the area?

A new public square and fluid routes around the landmark site are part of plans which has now been approved.

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The plans include a new public square dubbed ‘Ratcliff Square’, Western Terrace, Ratcliff Passage, and enhancements of both Paradise Street and Easy Row Subway – the latter offering fluid links to Alpha Tower, Arena Central, and beyond.

To the west, Easy Row Subway, which connects Alpha Tower and the Arena Central development to Paradise and the city core, will be enhanced and refurbished.

It will be linked to Western Terrace, the westernmost public space, and will provide spaces to dwell and meet up with friends and colleagues.

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Centrally, a new public square (‘Ratcliff Square’) is located, surrounded by the now-approved seventeen-storey Hotel (‘One Ratcliff Square’), Three Chamberlain Square (proposed), and One Centenary Way (under construction).

The square, like the others, will act as a largely transient space, allowing users to dwell and meet up. Access will also be given to the wider basement connecting the service corridor, as well as Paradise’s new cycle hub.

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Paradise Street will prioritise pedestrian circulation, with vehicle uses reduced. While taxis, emergency vehicles & servicing will be allowed, in addition to the tram, the vast majority of vehicle movements will take place beneath Ratcliff Square in the site's underground service tunnel.

Ratcliff Passage, a new tree-lined street between the Town Hall and 3 Chamberlain Square, is to the east. The long-awaited monuments of James Watt and Joseph Priestly will be re-located here.

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The public realm will, like Chamberlain Square, incorporate a high-quality mixture of granite and Yorkstone, to complement the historic civic heart of Birmingham.

Its "distinctive" night-time vibe will encourage pedestrian movements - contemporary lighting columns, integrated lighting into handrails and street furniture, wash/uplighting of trees and feature cladding, and building-mounted luminaries, will help achieve this.

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All images are the property of Grant Associates, Glenn Howells Architects, and ISA.

Green Light Tipped For 17-Storey Paradise Hotel

It's a significant week for Paradise Birmingham, Phase Two, with the proposed 17-storey Hotel recommended for approval on Thursday, January 20th, at 11 am.

• 17-storeys;
• 152-bedrooms;
• 16th floor Panoramic Sky Bar;
• ISA & Glenn Howells design.

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On Thursday, January 20, detailed designs for a new landmark 17-storey (plus basement) hotel for Paradise Birmingham, Phase Two, are expected to be approved.

The upmarket boutique hotel, designed by ISA Architecture and Glenn Howells Architects, comprises 152 standard, family and penthouse accommodation, vibrant ground floor offerings, dedicated taxi drop off points, and a stunning 16th-floor panoramic sky bar with a covered terrace.

Designed with a scalloped facade to confidentially differentiate itself from neighbouring office buildings, the hotel will - subject to consent - be built in light buff brick with elegant bronze coloured window frames.

All ground floor uses - a reception, bar & restaurant - will flawlessly interact with the sites newly created public spaces, creating active frontages around the building.

There will be two main entrances: one on Paradise Street and the other on the newly pedestrianised Ratcliff Square, with 12 cycles at ground level, in addition to a secure ground floor cycle store offering storage for staff and guests to the 312-space Paradise cycle hub.

To minimise vehicle usage, the sites basement level will provide service and delivery access via the estate service tunnel, as well as housing the storage, kitchen stores and plant.

The Paradise masterplan will ultimately bring together hotel, offices, residential, commercial, leisure & new public squares to create a truly mixed-use destination.

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Artists Impression from ISA Architecture & Glenn Howells Architects.