NEWS ARCHIVE

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ARCHITECTS - FARRELL & PARTNERS - TO DRAW UP STRATEGIC DESIGN FRAMEWORK FOR BIRMINGHAM’S BASKERVILLE WHARF | 03/03/05

Targetfollow Group, the developers of Baskerville House, are to appoint Sir Terry Farrell to work in conjunction with Birmingham City Council to draw up a strategic design framework for the land surrounding Baskerville House, known historically as Baskerville Wharf and situated in the heart of the proposed West End Regeneration Zone.

The appointment is in response to Birmingham City Council’s announcement to create a West End Regeneration Framework and following discussions with Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, and David Pywell, Strategic Director of Development, Birmingham City Council.

The site covers an extensive area north of Centenary Square, including Baskerville House, a Grade II listed showcase office development of almost 200,000 sq ft, England’s largest speculative office development outside of London and currently undergoing a £30 million conversion and refurbishment by Targetfollow.

Ardeshir Naghshineh, Targetfollow’s Managing Director, said: “We are making a major commitment to Birmingham with our Baskerville House redevelopment scheme and with the establishment of a strategic steering committee to look at the future of this particular area it offers us the opportunity to make a further contribution to its rejuvenation.

“Birmingham is a major player on the international urban regeneration stage and as investor and developers we are keen to be involved in the growth potential of a City that is moving forward at a rapid pace.

“Because of his international reputation as a first class urban designer, we feel Sir Terry is the ideal person to assist the Council achieve its long term goals.”

Sir Terry Farrell, Farrell & Partners, said: ”I am delighted to be working with Targetfollow and playing a role in the regeneration of the West End of Birmingham having helped kick-start the process with our masterplan for Brindley Place. I am keen to involve the University of Central England in this and we are talking to them about how the students, together with the city and other interested parties, can engage in an intellectual framework for the future of the City.”

Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am more than impressed by the speed of the private sector’s response to our West End initiative and particularly pleased that Farrell & Partners have been appointed by Targetfollow to look at the Baskerville Wharf area.

“It was Sir Terry who initially created the Brindley Place masterplan and therefore we have high hopes of building on this success and taking the City’s regeneration to the next level. I will be meeting with directors from the major development companies involved in the West End area next week at MIPIM, the international property convention at Cannes, where we hope to make further announcements about the steering committee that will be responsible for driving this framework forward.”

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