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Design and Build Services
News Release from: Urban Splash | Subject: Fort Dunlop
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 February 2006
Transformation of iconic Fort Dunlop
The renaissance of the nation's regional capital is a step closer, with the launch of a new future for the imposing Fort Dunlop landmark.
The renaissance of the nation's regional capital is a step closer, with the launch of a new future for the imposing Fort Dunlop landmark Clearly visible from the M6 and having stood derelict for a quarter of a century, the 89 year-old building is to be reborn as an inspirational commercial space by award-winning developers, Urban Splash
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 22 Jun 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Fort Dunlop is £40m renovation of former tyre factory by developer Urban Splash has the largest grass roof in UK onto which a herd of Fresian cows has been installed.
Commercial space in Fort Dunlop development
Hot on the heels of its first office tenant announcement, Urban Splash, the award-winning developer behind Fort Dunlop, has announced a prestigious retail hat trick for the iconic building.
A sneak preview of the landmark's new future is being unveiled today at a launch event held at Fort Dunlop.
Senior representatives from Urban Splash, Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands will reveal the vision for Fort Dunlop and the impact of this upon Birmingham's positioning as a world class city.
Famed as the 'tyre factory', Fort Dunlop's new future as high profile and high performance commercial space will commence with a phased opening this Spring, culminating in a grand opening later in 2006.
Further reading
Urban Splash Fort Dunlop in lights
Hollywood has come to Birmingham with the switch on of a 'Hollywood style' gigantic letter sign, installed to mark the rebirth of Fort Dunlop.
New inner glass skin for Urban Splash Fort Dunlop
The reinvented Fort Dunlop has 'shed' its windows in favour of an innovative inner glass skin, creating the effect of a crystal cube within the 90 year-old Birmingham landmark.
Fort Dunlop preview is the star attraction
Fort Dunlop given a new lease of life by award-winning developer, Urban Splash.The iconic Birmingham landmark will reopen in 2006 as an inspirational office, retail and leisure space.
Birmingham born and bred, Sir Digby Jones is Director General of the CBI, "For most of my adult life, Fort Dunlop has stood unloved, dismally left over from yesterday's manufacturing in Birmingham and not emblematic of the vibrant innovative manufacturing of today's Brum".
He adds, "Its new and bright future as a complete business park within one building is a fitting symbol to Birmingham's new role as the biggest professional services sector outside of London".
"Without the redevelopment of Fort Dunlop, Birmingham's renaissance could never be complete." At well over an acre per floor, Fort Dunlop offers the largest floor plates available outside of the M25.
Occupiers will be able to enjoy the UK's largest living grass roof, whilst guests can relax in the retail and leisure on offer and rest their head at night in the new 100-bedroom hotel.
Tenants of Fort Dunlop will enjoy a key location that is the gateway to Birmingham: just 10 minutes from Birmingham city centre via the A47 Heartlands spine road; 15 minutes' drive from Birmingham International Airport and Train Station and the NEC and just one minute from the M6 and the heart of the country's motorway network (the M5, M40, M42, M54, M69 and M1).
Unbeatable value, incredibly, space at Fort Dunlop is available from just £10 per square foot.
This compares, for instance, with quoted rentals of £30 per square foot at the Baskerville House development in Birmingham's city centre, which is of a very similar specification to the offices at Fort Dunlop.
More recently known for its redevelopment of Birmingham's Rotunda landmark as a vital living space, Fort Dunlop will be another exciting and energising project in the company's already impressive commercial portfolio.
Tom Bloxham MBE is Urban Splash's Chairman, "An iconic building at a key address, Urban Splash is proud to be launching Fort Dunlop as a contemporary work, retail and hotel location".
"With space starting at just £10 per square foot, Fort Dunlop offers unbeatable value".
"Launching the iconic building as a complete business park, we're asking local and national businesses if they can afford not to look at the Fort".
In bringing the former tyre factory back to life, Urban Splash has been working with Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands, which inherited the site from English Partnerships in 1999 and funded the reclamation of the site.
John Edwards is Chief Executive with Advantage West Midlands, "For so long, the Fort has stood as a symbol of urban decay in Birmingham and served as an unappetising greeting to those travelling along the M6 through our region".
"Now, at long last, the Fort is finally being brought back to life and will be a symbol of the renaissance of Birmingham".
"Urban Splash has a long and proud record of iconic regeneration".
"We are fortunate in having them work to achieve what many have said for years was unachievable".
Councillor Ken Hardeman is Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, "A much loved landmark building representing the city's manufacturing heritage, Birmingham City Council is delighted that Fort Dunlop is being redeveloped".
"We're thrilled with Urban Splash's design-led approach that respects the existing building yet injects modern elements where appropriate".
"Once finished it will become famous for being an exemplary piece of architecture - and once more a building of which Birmingham can be proud".
He adds, "A massive £8bn is being invested into Birmingham's regeneration".
"This is achieving spectacular results for the city and ensuring our place on the highly competitive world stage".
"Fort Dunlop is one of the final pieces in Birmingham's renaissance jigsaw".
"Derelict for a quarter of a century, Fort Dunlop will once again be a stunning example of an iconic beacon for all those passing the city".
"We are delighted that a vital part of the city's heritage is being reborn as an inspirational commercial space that will also create 3,000 jobs".
The 350,000 square foot locally listed building will double Urban Splash's commercial portfolio.
Guy Jackson is Urban Splash's West Midlands Director, "Urban Splash is well known for its innovative approach to residential developments".
"The reality is that we're a force to be reckoned with in delivering successful commercial space too.
Nathan Cornish is an Associate Director at Urban Splash, "It's great to see Fort Dunlop taking shape".
"The building has been vacant for 25 years, yet every time I visit the site I can see that this scheme is going to be well worth the wait".
"I really dislike a lot of business parks; they are stale and have no life".
"Not Fort Dunlop! With up to 3,000 people all working under the same roof and a vibrant after work scene in the ground floor bars, cafes and restaurants, the M6 landmark promises to be buzzing with a complete range of different businesses".
"I can't wait for it to open!" Andrew Venables is Offices Partner at GVA Grimley, one of the two letting agents appointed on Fort Dunlop, "With each floor plate close to the size of a football pitch, Fort Dunlop offers an unrivalled expanse of commercial space at unbeatable value".
"Combined with the flexibility in the size of the units, more than 1,000 parking spaces and a key location, we're expecting unprecedented levels of interest".
To complement the overall regeneration of this iconic building and to provide an added value to the scheme, the ground floor area (50,000sq ft) is attracting a mix of exciting and vibrant retailers and cafe bar/restaurants whose range of offer will make Fort Dunlop the new lifestyle destination of the Midlands.
Bringing together the best in modern thinking, design and materials, Urban Splash has appointed award-winning shedkm as the architectural and landscape practice.
Hazel Rounding is the lead architect on the project, "The biggest challenge and most enjoyable part of Fort Dunlop for shedkm has been achieving what many considered impossible - bringing the landmark yet derelict building back to life whilst creating a modern architectural statement." In creating new life for the iconic building, Urban Splash and shedkm have retained the qualities of the original building with simple new interventions.
Working with, rather than against, the depth of the building, windows have been removed and a new set-back glazing line introduced to create a services zone.
Huge steel drums will puncture through the floor plates into the heart of the building, providing skylights and a sense of natural light in the deepest parts of the structure.
Core services such as lifts and ventilation shafts are also located in the building's centre, pushing office, retail and leisure space towards the naturally lit glazing line.
The derelict end gable elevation has been demolished and replaced by full glazing, strengthening the visual 'section' through the preserved main building.
All new core facilities and the new-build hotel are located within an externally expressed rendered spine.
Locking into the original structure, the new addition has also created a rooftop pier (reference to the pier will be removed for the launch).
Providing 24 hour access, security and CCTV system, tenants and visitors alike will also benefit from below surface level parking to the rear of the building.
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