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), with contractor Sir Robert McAlpine handing the building over after the 25-month construction programme 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.”

Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine 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.

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.

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.

Pictured from left to right: Laurence Vickers of Atkins Realis, Alex Housden of MEPC, Chris Hucknall of Sir Robert McAlpine and Alice Wilkes of Atkins Realis. Images of wider team are in front of Three Chamberlain Square.