V Building - Original Proposal

Original Proposal

The V Building was not part of the original plan for Arena Central which was submitted in 1998 by Miller Group. No buildings in the design were taller than 20 storeys. However, the design was soon changed and a tower was incorporated later into the year. The design, by HOK Architects, saw a 50 storey tower which had a total height of 245 metres to the top of the spire and a roof height of 187 metres. At the time, that would have made the tower the tallest building in Birmingham and England, and one of the tallest in Europe. The building was referred to Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott in 2000 who disapproved of the tower and forced it to be scaled down to 187 metres. The amendments to the design were made and the entire scheme later received outline planning consent.

The 9/11 attacks of 2001 resulted in a number of setbacks for the project and it was significantly delayed. The building was considered a potential terrorist target if constructed and in consequence, the Hampton Trust pulled out of the project as part owners. No news about the development was released for two years.

In 2003, Andy Ruhan of Bridgewaters Capital was found as a partner and papers were signed in 2004. In December 2004, planning permission, which would have run out for the tower in February 2005, was extended to December 2010.