New city tower sparks wind fears

Aug 8 2007 By David Bell, Birmingham Mail

DESIGNERS are getting the wind up over plans for one of the city's tallest buildings.

Tunnel tests have shown the eyecatching 50-storey tower destined for Suffolk Street Queensway in the city centre will generate strong blasts of wind.

Designers are so concerned about the effects of the powerful gusts on passers-by that protective measures are being taken in the interests of public safety.

Bulky sculptures, glass panels, and trees are to be sprinkled around the base of the slim 147-metre high tower to act as windbreaks which will block the blasts of air.

"The mitigation measures will be required to reduce the increased wind impact generated in some areas around the tower to acceptable levels," a city planning spokesman confirmed.

The Arena Central development will get the green light from the city's planners in the near future, with work likely to start this year towards a projected completion date in 2012.

The scheme was originally concieved as a leisure development with its own ice rink and Las Vegas-style casino, but the bulk of the tower will now be residential, with 706 flats - most of them one-bed - together with bars and restaurants.

As tall as the Post Office tower, the building will be the highest occupied structure in Birmingham. It will also be eye-catching - clad with luminescent latticed glass that will make it shine in the day and glow at night. It will cast a long shadow over Broad Street, Centenary Square, the Hall of Memory and even Victoria Square.

"But I don't think that will worry anyone," said city planning chairman Coun David Roy. "It is an exciting building for the whole city."