‘World’s First’ Octagon-Shaped Residential Tower Approved

Members of Birmingham City Council’s planning committee voted in favor of plans from Paradise Circus Ltd. Partnership for Octagon, part of the Paradise development, to build the “world’s first” purely octagonal residential tower, Birmingham Live reported on April 29. The 49-story tower built off Great Charles Street Queensway and Paradise Circus will be designed by Glenn Howells Architects and Grant Associates. It is reported that the color of the building will appear to vary depending on light conditions and the angle of view – and the structure will have “subtle backlighting” at the top. The council voted unanimously in favor of the plans despite concerns raised by the Ancient Monument Society that the building would be “inappropriate,” given its proximity to the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area and Colmore Row and Environs Conservation Area.