University News Last updated 27 July 2012
A special rooftop ‘topping out’ ceremony was held yesterday (Thursday 26 July) to celebrate a milestone in Phase One of Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus project.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled on the highest bridge link, symbolically joining the new building with adjacent Millennium Point, by Professor David Tidmarsh, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, and Peter Owen, Willmott Dixon’s Managing Director for the Midlands. The ceremony was witnessed by colleagues and stakeholders representing the partnership project team.
Birmingham City University has teamed up with Birmingham-based Willmott Dixon to build the 18,310 sq metre facility, providing a purpose-built home for the world-class provision of the University’s Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD).
The building will also feature a large ‘media hub’ with industry-standard TV, radio and photographic studios that will underpin the University’s prestigious media production courses. This centre of excellence will boast the best bespoke media provision between London and Salford - and perfectly positions the University and Birmingham as a major contributor to the creative industries.
“This is a significant milestone for Birmingham, the region and beyond,” said Professor David Tidmarsh, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University.
The ambitious project on Curzon Street, Eastside – part of the city’s Enterprise Zone and the Big City Plan to support the city’s renaissance - is also part of the University’s overall £180 million investment in new facilities to help create the skilled graduates of the future.