BAM makes progress on first phase of Birmingham’s Beorma Quarter development
Hemel Hempstead, 24 July 2014 - BAM Construction is making good progress on the hotel structure of the newest development on the Birmingham skyline. Refurbishment works are also advancing to the Digbeth Cold Store. Kuwaiti real estate development company Salhia is behind the Beorma scheme in central Birmingham, which has now reached the 5th floor of the new hotel building.
BAM is building a 110-room Adagio Hotel, which forms the first part of Salhia’s impressive scheme. The Midlands based contractor is converting the Digbeth Cold Store into offices and an Innovation Centre.
Further phases in Salhia’s plans include a landmark 27-storey office tower next to the Bullring shopping centre, as well as other commercial space.
The buildings will be highly sustainable and benefit from an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system, which uses ground water to cool the building in summer and heat it in winter. Completion of the first phase is scheduled for Autumn 2014 with the concrete frame due to complete by September.
Other companies involved in the scheme include architect Broadway Malyan; structural engineers Buro Happold; mechanical and electrical engineers BWS; acoustics consultant Hann Tucker; planning consultants Alistair Grilles; landscape architects Bell Fischer; and project manager/cost consultant Aecom.
John Mensforth, construction director for BAM in the Midlands, said: ‘Salhia has read the market carefully and has judged that this is the ideal time to develop the exciting Beorma quarter. This will greatly enhance the ever-improving Birmingham skyline and bring quality hotel accommodation right on the doorstep of the City’s commercial heart. It is a highly visible project and will have a real impact on the people of Birmingham. It’s encouraging for everybody to see the market producing creative commercial schemes like this again.’
Despite being at an early stage, the project already provided work for 300 people, a number that will increase substantially as it progresses. It is already generating big orders for local businesses. Almost two million pounds has been placed with central Birmingham companies, such as Parkstone Group from Coleshill which has provided both the enabling works and groundworks, the demolition specialist Coleman and Co from Great Barr, and Sutton Coldfield company Coltman Precast Concrete Ltd which has provided the pre-cast concrete stairs. Scaffolding works have been provided by Controlled Scaffolding Ltd in Aston.
Elsewhere in Birmingham BAM is concluding work at the Solihull development known as Shirley Parkgate and it is behind two prestige ongoing jobs, one delivering new facilities for Aero Engine Controls (owned by Rolls-Royce) and the remodelling of the National Indoor Arena (NIA) which is also in its final phase.
BAM’s property company recently agreed the sale of its FORE Business Park development to IM Properties. Its construction team remains based there as a tenant.