BSPA on lookout for Digital Plaza partner
Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) is using the MIPIM property conference this week to appoint a joint venture partner to deliver its £35m Digital Plaza.
The Digital Plaza – which will, subject to planning, be developed next to the Park’s Faraday Wharf building – will comprise four buildings, specifically designed for the new generation of hi-tech companies.
BSPA is wholly owned by Birmingham City Council.
The science park’s internet connection is unrivalled across the country, and last year was named as one of the country’s first science parks without walls.
Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council and chairman of Birmingham Science Park Aston, said: “We will be using the conference as a platform to initiate conversations with national and international developers, contractors, investors and consultants.
"We then anticipate that formal proceedings to begin the selection process will commence, with a view to work potentially starting on site by late 2012/early 2013. This will be a highly exciting and progressive development for Birmingham’s burgeoning digital economy.”
The four proposed Digital Plaza buildings will provide a total of 117,272 sq ft of space, with the first building - iCentrumTM – being the largest at 46,069 sq ft.
There are plans for two further buildings of 17,534 sq ft and a fourth building offering 36,134 sq ft. These buildings are expected to appeal to larger companies as headquarters style facilities, said the park’s operator.
