UK-based developer Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has obtained approval from Birmingham City Council planning committee to redevelop the SBQ site on the south-eastern side of Smallbrook Queensway, running from Bullring to Holloway Circus.
The planning applications will see the establishment of a flagship, multi-million-pound office, retail, leisure and residential development on the site, and were first submitted by CEG last year.
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CEG development manager Iain MacSween said: “Today’s decision to approve these applications will enable the delivery of a vibrant, attractive development that will regenerate this prominent location, creating new job opportunities, homes, retail and leisure space close to the city centre.
“It will also open up Hurst Street views and provide a new iconic, landmark building.”
Both SBQ1 and SBQ2 will be replaced by a single 26-storey building housing 309 residential units, each consisting of one to three bedrooms, along with 300m2 of retail and leisure space on the ground floor.
SBQ3 and SBQ4, meanwhile, will be transformed into a 12,500m2 office development, with space on the ground floor dedicated to retail/leisure uses, while retaining the existing Snobs nightclub.
The front-ends will feature high-quality glass façades with distinct, prominent entrances, and the removal of SBQ2 will clear the view between Birmingham New Street Station and Southside/China Town on Hurst Street, which was previously obstructed by the property.
The proposals also open the possibility of public realm improvements in the near future.
The construction phase will see an estimated 500 jobs created, and 1,100 permanent jobs are expected to be generated in the offices, leisure and retail space after completion of the project.
