New plans for the tallest office scheme being built outside London at the have been resubmitted to the council.
Sterling Property Ventures and Rockspring are seeking permission to demolish the tower and build a £60 million, 26-storey, office block.
The 103 building, which will stand at 346ft and more than 800ft above sea level, will create 500 construction jobs and, once completed, house 2,000 workers.
Proposals for a steel, aluminium and glazed structure come after Birmingham City Council planners had previously to without seeing what was replacing it.
The scheme includes a rooftop restaurant offering 360 degree views across the city and a winter garden and café at street level.
The scheme is one of the most long-awaited in the central business district with the 1970s 22-storey building having lain empty since 2003.
James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, said: “Since acquiring the building late last year we have worked energetically to produce plans for a distinctive new landmark building for Birmingham.
“The building’s floorplates will be flooded with natural light and the views will be unsurpassed.
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“But 103 will not just be another elitist commercial building: we are keen that it becomes a destination for the people of Birmingham. The winter garden and skyline restaurant means it will be accessible to all.”
The formal planning application follows a four-month consultation period, which included the city’s planning officers, conservationists, the local business community and members of the public.
The building was designed by Doone Silver Architects after a review undertaken with Design Council CABE.
The proposed development will comprise 200,000 sq ft of grade A office space over 19 floors, with floorplates up to 12,250 sq ft. There will be basement parking for 34 cars and 92 bicycles.
In all, there is 16,000 sq ft of leisure space, which also includes a retail unit fronting Newhall Street.
Sterling Property Ventures director Peter Graham had said he was “extremely disappointed” after proposals to demolish the tower were turned down by councillors in March.
The development team aims to start work on site as soon as permission to begin demolishing the NatWest Tower is granted. The projected completion date is early 2018.
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Eric Linden, European director at Rockspring, said: “In the past year Birmingham has won a number of inward investment deals which have reduced the grade A office supply.
“103 Colmore Row will be a top quality space and will allow the city to continue to build on the current momentum which is seeing major international corporate occupiers selecting Birmingham as a base for operations
“It is an elegant, modern building, symbolic of the city’s ongoing regeneration and growing economic confidence. It’s our first investment in Birmingham and we are really proud of it.”
103 Colmore Row design features
Winter Garden
A new area of public realm on Colmore Row, with large-scale trees, seating and a café. The building will be accessed from this frontage.
Elevation
The façade has four stepped planes, the lowest of which is suspended at the fourth floor overlooking Colmore Row. Architects say the stepped planes will “create a distinctive skyline profile”.
The Lantern
The top floor will house a bar/restaurant with 360 degree views of the city. It will remain lit at night, illuminating the skyline and providing a clear signature for the building.
Terrace
A terrace on level 18 is for the exclusive use of the occupant. A green roof on level 22 will enhance the building’s biodiversity.