Kennedy Tower could become hotel
Birmingham’s Kennedy Tower office development could be turned into a hotel, Insider has learnt.
Manchester-headquartered commercial property owner and manager Bruntwood bought the property, which is near Snow Hill station, in October. Bruntwood development director Peter Crowther says its future as an office development is by no means certain.
The building, also known as Snow Hill Plaza, was put on the market following the demise of its owner, Kenmore Property Group.
Speaking at Insider’s Business of Property Conference at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel at the NEC, Crowther said: “We are looking at the options there. We could develop it as a hotel. If a hotel makes more sense and money we will do that.”
Bruntwood is keen to make an impact in the Birmingham market. Crowther said it wants to have 1m-1.5m sq ft of property in its city portfolio within five years.
The company owns and manages 90 properties in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
Elsewhere at the conference Waheed Nazir, director of planning and regeneration at Birmingham City Council said that recent reports suggesting the city’s Wholesale Market may now be staying put are not entirely accurate.
“Our commitment is still to look to find a new location for it,” he said.
The original idea was for the market to move to a The Hub in Witton - the former IMI factory site - so the site can used for development purposes - but recent reports suggested Birmingham City Council is to consider a range of options for the future of the key site - including the possibility that traders could remain there.
Nazir also told delegates that the new City Park planned for Eastside has been approved by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee.
