New images have been revealed for the next stage of development on the Innovation Birmingham Campus site.
Its £8 million iCentrum building is currently taking shape next to the A38 and is due to open in March and now Innovation Birmingham has lodged an application for phase two.
The two-storey unit will be built on the car park in front of the Faraday Wharf building and front onto Holt Street - see CGIs above and below.
Called the Universities Centre, its main purpose will be to make it easier for SMEs to engage with Birmingham's five universities.
Architecture practice AHR has designed the building which will be built by Thomas Vale Construction, the company also leading the iCentrum development.
This latest project is being supported by £2.49 million from the Local Growth Fund, awarded by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership earlier this year.
Subject to planning approval, the new facility will be open in August.
The Universities Centre will create an additional 5,812 sq ft of business accommodation on the campus, more than half of which will be dedicated to flexible co-working space with the remainder designed for training sessions and events.
It will have state-of-the-art communications equipment and all five universities in Birmingham will have a high-definition video conferencing suite installed as part of the project.
Innovation Birmingham chief executive Dr David Hardman MBE said: "It will provide the city region with a catalytic facility, creating a novel edge in how we can help to support start-ups and growing SMEs.
"While Birmingham's five universities already run a range of initiatives to engage with business, we will promote more active engagement, as well as co-ordinate specific, bespoke programmes that will enable SMEs that have never thought of collaborating with a university to see how it could add value."
Michael Carr, programme delivery director for the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, added: "Having a dedicated, neutral centre where SMEs and researchers, staff and students from the five local universities can meet and collaborate on projects will be a new asset for the city region.
"Innovation Birmingham will work with Aston University, the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Newman University and University College Birmingham to drive activity that will resonate with SMEs.
"The technology and digital sector is one of the GBSLEP's target growth areas, and this £2.94 million Local Growth Fund grant award will lead to many new relationships and projects being forged year on year, which will contribute to the regional economy."
Pictures: iCentrum at Innovation Birmingham Campus
