Plans for former Science Museum unveiled

Aug 18 2006

Birmingham Post

Long-awaited plans for Birmingham's former Science Museum on Newhall Street have been unveiled by developer RO St Bernards. The 2.34 acre site fronts Newhall Street, Charlotte Street and the Birmingham and Faze-ley Canal. The £63 million mixed use scheme will take shape around a new piazza to be known as Newhall Square. There will be 234 apartments, studios and one and two bedroom designs, with a choice of canal or courtyard views plus secure parking underground. There are also plans for shops, cafes, bars, offices and a hotel to complete the canalside scheme. Forming a centrepiece will be two retained, listed buildings, one of the former exhibition halls and the 18th century Whitmore Warehouse to be a focal point of the square. It is planned to create a big public art project using materials salvaged from the existing buildings. Demolition is due to start in September and it is expected that the first phase of Newhall Square will be ready for occupation some time in 2008. RO St Bernards (ROSB) is a joint venture between RO Developments, based in London and the Birmingham-based St Bernards Property Ltd. They won the chance to develop the site in an open competition staged by the landowners, Birmingham City Council. Since then, ROSB has worked with the city council to design a fitting scheme which will both respect the site history and meet both residential and commercial demands. Chris Bond, director of RO St Bernards said: "Newhall Square will be a vibrant urban village linking the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter. Its mix of uses, canal frontage and generous open spaces, with its central location, will make Newhall Square unique in Birmingham city centre. The apartments will be sold through Knight Frank, prices due to start at £100,000.