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.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/LayouT%20pUblic%20Realm.png" />

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.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/CGI%20-%20One%20Ratcliff%20Square%20(14).jpg" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/CGI%20-%20One%20Ratcliff%20Square%20(12).jpg" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/CGI%20-%20Paradise%20Public%20Realm%202.png" />

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.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Three%20Chamberlain%20Square%20(7).jpg" />

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.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Three%20Chamberlain%20Square%20(3).jpg" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Three%20Chamberlain%20Square%20(4).jpg" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/CGI%20-%20Paradise%20Public%20Realm%203.png" />

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.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/CGI%20-%20Three%20Chamberlain.png" />

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