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News Release from: EC Harris | Subject: Tall Buildings Seminar
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 July 2006
Future sustainability of high-rise
developments
Issues of cost versus revenue and the future sustainability of high-rise developments were discussed at a Tall Buildings Seminar, hosted by international property consultants EC Harris.
The Birmingham skyline continues to soar, along with the high-rise boom which is taking British cities by storm The demand for city living over the last ten years is continuing to fuel the development of high-rise residential towers, in line with the planning system's emphasis on high density brownfield schemes
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 21 Jan 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The issues of cost versus revenue and the future sustainability of high-rise developments were among the hot topics discussed at a Tall Buildings Seminar, hosted by international property consultants EC Harris in Birmingham earlier this month.
The event attracted not only a panel of high-profile experts, of Keith Brooks, EC Harris, David Fenton, Knight Frank, Mark Connolly, The Beetham Organisation, and Andy Jinks, Crosby Group PLC but the city's property and construction community, also took an active part in the debate.
One of the unusual elements of the high-rise boom has been the strength of post industrial cities, such as Birmingham, where several residential and mixed-use towers are being constructed.
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Speaking at the seminar Keith Brooks, Head of Residential at EC Harris, highlighted the challenges faced when ensuring the successful delivery of high-rise mixed use residential projects, which range from market and cost issues to design and location.
Commenting on various projects including The Orion building, Masshouse and Beetham Tower in the city centre, he highlighted the merits of utilising a model which examines the relationship between cost and height of buildings.
As he explained: "This is vital if schemes are to be financially viable as these issues become even more complex with high-rise buildings".
"As the height of buildings increase, so does the cost of construction, yet there is a recognised potential uplift in sales from upper floor units, particularly in iconic or well designed buildings".
Keith also emphasised the cost implications of phased releases to the market with all residential developments, and pointed out that these issues are magnified in tower schemes with the inevitable restrictions in construction terms.
"Consideration must therefore be given to both horizontal and vertical phasing".
"This involves integrating scaffold free elevations, innovative use of lifts etc, which need to become a fundamental part of the design brief".
"Extra costs are invariably payable because many of the developments are very high quality schemes in desirable inner city locations", added Keith.
Philip Black of EC Harris, host of the seminar and lead Partner in Birmingham concluded, "the overwhelming interest expressed by Birmingham's property community also demonstrates that the Midlands is well equipped to adopt a 'tall buildings' culture and that the city centre will continue to be at the forefront of iconic developments in the UK.".
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