Colmore Row

Retention, refurbishment & celebration of an existing heritage site to create exemplary office retrofit in the heart of Birmingham’s City Centre.

Project Address

78-90 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2AB

Client

Marlborough Property Company

Location

Birmingham

Size

44,760 sqft (Total GIA)

Status

Planning Approved

GPAD have been working collaboratively with Marlborough Property Company and V7 to develop a best-in-class office restoration in the heart of Birmingham’s Colmore and Environs Conservation Area. Forming part of the Snow Hill Masterplan and wider regeneration for Birmingham City, the sensitive retrofit will deliver a highly sustainable, people focused workspace, that celebrates the unique history of the site and surroundings.

READ MORE

Built in 1917, the Portland stone exterior to this Edwardian Neo-Baroque style building will undergo a light refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory. The proposals consolidate and retrofit the existing non-designated heritage building to reinvigorate key architectural features that contribute to its longstanding significance and character. The thoughtful restoration and extension have been designed to integrate seamlessly into the historical landscape while achieving exemplary sustainable credentials.

The existing mansard walls at the fourth floor will be replaced with textured Portland Stone to match the historic surroundings, while the new fifth-floor extension, clad in zinc tiles, subtly steps away from the façade to preserve the period details and respond to its relationship with the Grade I Listed St. Philip’s Cathedral.

Architecturally, the design improves accessibility whilst maintaining and enhancing the existing corner entrance, with a reception space that grounds the building within its context.

As part of a collective commitment to sustainability and innovation, the proposal focuses on environmental responsibility with ESG at the forefront to ensure the delivery of a building that will stand the test of time and remain high performing in years to come. The building uses responsibly sourced and recyclable materials wherever possible and is set to achieve LETI B minimum for upfront embodied carbon on construction, a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status, and a minimum EPC B rating. Smart technologies and renewable energy solutions will further enhance the building’s green credentials, alongside AirRated Platinum, WELL certification, and achieving more than 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. The certifications reflect the dedication to creating workspaces that are not only energy-efficient but also prioritise the health and wellness of their occupants.

The elegant interior draws inspiration from characteristic 19th and 20th century civic and commercial buildings of the area with the introduction of the reception’s vaulted ceiling accentuating the existing high arch windows at ground level and supporting the new levelling out required for the first floor.

Multiple wellness spaces have been incorporated including a generous 2700sqft landscaped roof terrace and a business lounge at ground floor. The new roof terrace, overlooking the Cathedral, provides green links to the adjacent Cathedral Square with a carefully curated biodiverse roofscape and business lounge to establish links to nature and promote well-being for occupants.

Colmore Row features distinctive reminders of Birmingham’s rich history with famous Brummie quotes interspersed throughout the interiors and the proposed use of colour drawing direct inspiration from a palette designed by Birmingham artist Stacey Barnfield’s to further tie in to and represent the City.

The upgraded corner provides level access into the reception space and proposes a grander appearance opposite the Grade I Listed St. Philip’s Cathedral that sits directly to the east.

Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Roof Plan

“When dealing with the redevelopment of any existing building, no one member of the team can have all the answers as there is a journey of discovery through feasibility, strip out and surveys. The key is remaining positive and solving the problems – something this team has done from day one.”

Zak Veasey, v7
Next Project

Pellatt Road

Overview

Projects

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

ALASDAIR BROWNLOW

SENIOR ARCHITECT