The first images of Regals Mixed Use Tower along Broad Street have been found, it comes on strong indications from the council of a major investment along the golden mile with a multi-billion pound make over of the area.
Schemes include numerous high-rises, although with the current economic climate its difficult to determine what will happen with alot of them. A review of Cumberland House has also been indicated.
Anyway. Here are the first renders. They plan to start 2009 with completion before the 2012 Olympics. Its rumoured Regal will announce Hilton as the flagship hotel chain. There will be a 54th floor skybar.
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A £150 million hotel boasting one of the tallest towers in the city is being planned for Birmingham's Broad Street.
The luxury development with a sky restaurant and conference facilities could be built between Sheepcote Street and the Novotel within the next four years.
Developers Regal Property Group have planning consent for a restaurant and 130 apartments on the site where the progressive synagogue once stood.
But now it is hoping to add to the original plans by including a luxury hotel, with a tower reaching the heights of Birmingham's tallest buildings.
At 122m tall, Beetham Tower, the Radisson SAS hotel near to New Street station, is currently the tallest building in the city. The proposed 50-storey high V tower - on the corner of Broad Street and Queensway - is expected to surpass this height but could be beaten by the Regal hotel.
Roger Holbeche, head of Regal in the UK, said: "We haven't made a formal planning application.
"Discussions are on-going, but they are very positive and are likely to lead to an early application."
The scheme includes conference facilities for up to 1,000 people to complement those of the International Convention Centre.
The Big Bite, a listed building formerly the Left Bank restaurant, would also be incorporated into the development.
If all goes to plan the luxury hotel with conference facilities and apartments above could be completed by 2011.
Mr Holbeche explained: "What we're trying to do is create something within the hotel which plugs the gap in the market.
"There will be ballroom facilities and conference facilities, maybe for up to 1,000 people. Naturally delegates would be stopping on site with the facilities on site.
"We are looking at building something absolutely top quality - one of the bigger buildings in the Birmingham arena.
"Whether it will be as tall as the tower of the proposed V building remains to be seen. It's not quite at a stage where we can say that."
John Lamb, spokesman for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "I think any iconic building is welcome and obviously it brings the possibility of there being jobs - not only in construction but also in the running of the hotel."
He added if planning permission were to be granted for the hotel, it would relieve an existing lack of hotel accommodation in the city and could attract big events.
In addition, he said this could help attract Chinese Olympic athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"We already have the US track and field team and there is a big bid to get the Chinese delegation, which is enormous," he said.
"Sometimes you just can't get a hotel room in Birmingham. It will give the city a chance to attract big events."
Broad Street manager Mike Olley also welcomed the proposals.
He said: "We want exciting ideas for Birmingham - we want things that will get people investing the area.
"That can only be good for jobs locally."
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