As the UK's second largest city, Birmingham has the sort of high profile that many other cities can only dream of. Recent investments have transformed the city centre, with a collection of unique commercial properties now dominating the skyline.
These developments have brought real lifestyle improvements for many Birmingham residents, together with an array of commercial opportunities. We take a look at 5 of the very best commercial properties in the city:
1. The Cube
Completed in 2010, The Cube is clearly more than just a building. Located in the very heart of the city, it represents the first phase in a regeneration programme that will change the way that Birmingham looks forever.
Encompassing a mixture of offices, retail units and restaurants, The Cube also provides a viewing gallery. This is a building that needs to be seen in context, with its structure reflecting the manufacturing and industrial heritage of the local area. The proud use of metal and glass creates a strong structure, together with a surprisingly light interior.
2. Grand Hotel Birmingham
By 2010 the Grand Hotel had fallen into a state of disrepair, causing real concerns for those who love this great structure. Fortunately, a new redevelopment plan has been put in place that looks set to restore this hotel to its former glory.
It's believed that the new plans will enable the building to be removed from the Heritage at Risk Register, signalling a new era for this famous structure. The £30 million redevelopment will leave the hotel with 152 luxurious rooms, together with a roof terrace and two restaurants.
3. Beetham Tower Birmingham
Opened in 2005, Beetham Tower combines a Radisson SAS hotel with 152 privately owned apartments. The structure was designed by Ian Simpson Architects and many locals refer to the building as 10 Holloway Circus.
Beetham Tower is the tallest building of its kind within the city of Birmingham, reaching a height of more than 120 metres. With 39 floors and a striking exterior, the building has quickly become a favoured addition to the city skyline.
4. The Bullring
The Bullring is arguably the best known commercial building in the city, attracting more than 40 million visitors each year.
This huge shopping centre is located close by New Street railway station and incorporates more than 160 separate stores. Current tenants include Debenhams, Selfridges, Ben Sherman and DKNY Jeans. The popularity of The Bullring is enhanced by the presence of a number of high profile restaurants, while construction of the shopping centre was the responsibility of three separate entities: Henderson Global Investors, Land Securities and Hammerson.
An extension to the building was completed in 2011, reflecting the success of The Bullring in attracting shoppers from all over the world.
5. Fort Dunlop
Fort Dunlop was originally constructed to act as a tyre factory. Indeed, it was once the largest factory on the planet. However, the factory started to encounter problems when the demand for UK manufactured tyres reduced over the years.
The main building fell out of use, prior to being purchased by Urban Splash in 1999. Urban Splash immediately started working on a plan to transform Fort Dunlop, incorporating office, hotel and retail space. Much of the structure was retained, although significant improvements have been made. In particular, the redeveloped Fort Dunlop is flooded with light, creating an attractive working environment.
A key impact of the redevelopment has been for those who regularly use the M6 motorway. The exterior of the building has been used to display illuminated signs, making an eye-catching addition to this part of the city.
The 5 properties mentioned above have brought about positive changes for Birmingham, but they are only the beginning of the story. The ongoing redevelopment of Birmingham New Street railway station, together with a number of other planned developments, will continue to transform the way that the city looks and is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Picture: 'The Cube Birmingham' by Tony Hisgett/Wikipedia