The Construction of the Octagon at Paradise Birmingham - February 2023 Photo Update

The Octagon is rising from the ground fast now and the concrete core has reached the third floor with the outer structure on the lower levels chasing behind. Photos from December 2022 through January 2023 in this gallery update, but don't forget we have many more in the main construction photo gallery for this build and a link is in the article...

There are now nearly 500 photos of the construction of this building in the Octagon Full Construction Photo Gallery

Below is a selection of recent additions to the full construction photo gallery...

28th December 2022

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7th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor  Daniel Sturley

13th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Elliott Brown

14th January 2023

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15th January 2023

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18th January 2023

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19th January 2023

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21st January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Daniel Sturley

26th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Elliott Brown

28th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Daniel Sturley

Huge gallery for Octagon 

There are now nearly 500 photos of the construction of this building in the Octagon Full Construction Photo Gallery

The Construction of Exchange Square - Sept 2021 to Jan 2023

A review of the Exchange Square development from September 2021 to January 2023.

Exchange Square in Birmingham - how things have developed.

Here, we take a look at this huge development from September 2021 to present.

September 2021

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October 2021

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December 2021

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February 2022

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16th April 2022

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May 2022

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July 2022

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August 2022

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September 2022

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October 2022

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November 2022

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December 2022

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January 2023

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Photography by contributors to ItsYourBuild and BirminghamWeAre.

Please see the full construction photo gallery for this build here: Exchange Square Phase 1 & 2

Approval for HS2 Nerve Centre in Washwood Heath

A 30-acre site in Washwood Heath will be transformed into the nerve centre of the new High Speed railway line after plans were approved today (2 February 2023).

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Washwood Heath Depot is where HS2 trains will be maintained, serviced and stored when not in use.

The 30-acre site will be transformed into the nerve centre of the new High Speed railway line, creating 550 jobs in the process.

Three buildings will be built: a Maintenance Building depot, a Network Integrated Control Centre [NICC], and a cleaners’ and drivers’ [C&D] building – each incorporating solar panels, sustainable drainage, renewable energy & low carbon materials.

All three buildings have been designed to allow maximum accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, with dedicated routes connecting with Birmingham’s future transport network.

A contractor will be announced in autumn 2023.

Maintenance Building depot:

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Network Integrated Control Centre [NICC]:

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Cleaners’ and Drivers’ [C&D] building:

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In non HS2-related news, the wider underutilised site will continue its rich history of providing industrial employment with Aviva set to bring forward four new units – that application, which has been approved, can be viewed here.

Washwood Heath depot, CGIs from HS2's Engineering Delivery Partnership [EDP].

Lion dance for the Lunar New Year outside of the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square

On Thursday 26th January 2023, the lion dance from the Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham (James Wong) started their Westside Tour at 2pm outside of the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square. Elliott caught them going past The REP to The ICC. While Daniel spotted them outside Caffe Nero in Brindleyplace.

The Lunar New Year lion dance tour in late January 2023, continued at Westside, on Thursday afternoon, on the 26th, after 2pm.

After setting up outside of the Library of Birmingham, they went past The REP, towards The ICC.

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Plans for Birmingham Smithfield Are Now In!

EXCLUSIVE: Plans for Birmingham Smithfield are now in!

Detailed first phase plans include a new destination market, a state-of-the-art office, a health and wellbeing hub, and 547 new homes tailored for families.

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Here are the exciting plans for Birmingham Smithfield Phase 1, a once-in-a-lifetime £1.9b redevelopment from a Birmingham City Council & Lendlease Joint Venture.

Hybrid plans submitted in early December have now landed (in January!) and contain full detailed planning for Phase 1 and outline plans for future phases. These detailed plans include:

NEW MARKETS (Plots 5ABC) from David Kohn Architects and Eastside Projects

Bringing together the current Indoor and Rag Markets, this destination market will offer 13,301 sqm of spaces for live performances and events, day and night, along with places to eat, drink & socialise within the new dining hall and a landscaped rooftop garden overlooking Festival Square.

Located to the northern most point, the markets will provide maximum visibility for the new market areas from the commercial and retail heart of the city around the Bullring and St Martin’s Church.