A new benchmark for sustainable workspaces in Birmingham

Three Chamberlain Square reaches practical completion at Paradise Birmingham

Birmingham’s latest commercial building – and the city’s most sustainable new workplace – has reached another milestone as it marks the end of its construction phase. 

Three Chamberlain Square has reached Practical Completion (PC), and, after the 25-month construction programme, we handed the building over to developer and asset manager MEPC, ready for the start of the occupier fit-out phase of internal works.

The 189,000 sq ft building will be home to the 1200 strong Birmingham office of leading international consultancy firm EY, which announced its plans to move to the building earlier this year.  Further occupier announcements are expected to be made this summer. 

The striking ten-story building, designed by award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS), champions sustainability and innovation while responding to its historic location alongside the Grade I Classical Town Hall and drawing inspiration from the surrounding red terracotta buildings.  It has created a new landmark for the city and a new statement of sustainability for the wider Paradise estate. 

The building is targeting and has secured BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5*ratings at design stage – making it one of the UK’s most sustainable and amenity-rich commercial buildings. Its accreditations underline this commitment to futureproofing and sustainability and it is a building that reflects wider commitments to a net zero future and that will stand the test of time.

Alex Housden, Senior Development Manager, at Paradise Birmingham developer and asset manager, MEPC, said: “Three Chamberlain Square is the most sustainable commercial workplace in the city and a tremendous addition to the wider Paradise Birmingham estate and the region’s commercial offer. Today, we rightly recognise the expert management of the construction process by Sir Robert McAlpine and the wider collaboration of the design and professional team, from the architects to the delivery contractors who have all worked above and beyond throughout to reduce both embodied and operational carbon and find new ways of working.  Together they have delivered a class-leading building of which they should all be proud.”

We achieved the highest possible score from the Considerate Contractors Scheme, which aims to minimise the impact of large construction sites covering themes including respect for the community, care for the environment, and valuing the workforce.

Chris Hucknall, who led the project for Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “This has been one of the most rewarding projects the team has had the privilege to work on. It is a building engineered with game-changing sustainability measures, including the low-carbon terracotta façade, openable windows, all-electric infrastructure, and a SMART building design which has been brought forward through a talented multi-disciplinary team actively working together and sharing a commitment to excellence.  We would like to thank all our partners and trusted supply chain for their dedication and support in achieving this key milestone.”

The class-leading features of Three Chamberlain Square include more than 8,000 bespoke terracotta panels as well as 300 openable windows, as well as a full-length terrace on the east aspect of the 9th floor overlooking the Town Hall. Overall, the building helps the Paradise estate set a new standard in the city for both globally conscious architecture and people-focussed workspace design.

George Wilson, Partner at architects FCBStudios, said: “Three Chamberlain Square has progressed from a simple idea for a highly sustainable commercial building at the very heart of Birmingham into an amazing structure delivering a low carbon future for its occupiers. As well as setting new standards for city centre workspace, it offers a holistic workplace that is sensitive to its surroundings. It’s a hugely proud moment to see the main construction work complete and the building take its place within the overall Paradise estate and the wider city landscape.”

Three Chamberlain Square has been delivered by a wide collaborative team including planning, design and architecture, communications, transport, engineering and consultancy practices as well as construction delivery experts.  

The team has included: Adams Consulting Group, Arup, AtkinsRealis, Carbon Climate Certified, Core, Cundall, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Inasus, King & Moffatt, MPB Structures, Sir Robert McAlpine, Turley and Weedon Architects.

The Paradise redevelopment is being brought forward through Paradise Circus Limited Partnership (PCLP), a private-public joint venture with Birmingham City Council.

The private sector funding is being managed by the international business of Federated Hermes Private Markets, which has partnered with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) on the first phase of the development and for One Centenary Way. MEPC is the development and asset manager.

Paradise sits in the country’s largest city centre Enterprise Zone and has already benefited from investment in enabling and infrastructure works.