Towers to Replace Birmingham, U.K., Landmark

Corstophine & Wright Architects have drawn up proposals to replace a 1960s development that lines one of the remaining sections of Birmingham’s Inner Ring Road with three tower blocks, the tallest of which would be 56 stories, Building Design reports. The scheme would deliver around 1,800 homes and replace the six-story Ringway Centre on Smallbrook Queensway. The proposals, drawn up for Commercial Estates Group (CEG), also include retail and commercial uses at the lower levels of the blocks, at 44 and 48 stories. Additionally, CEG said its proposals would create an extensive new public realm, contribute to the greening of the city center, and improve connections with the Chinese Quarter, the Gay Village, and the emerging Smithfield area. The latest proposals include a plaza at the junction of Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street and broad runs of steps, one of which connects high-level Smallbrook Queensway with lower level Wrottesley Street. CEG Head of Residential Development James Shimwell said the Corstorphine & Wright-designed proposals would breathe new life into the Smallbrook Queensway area and create new routes into and out of the city center. The proposals are subject to a pre-application public consultation that will run until 18 July.