Brindleyplace celebrated its tenth anniversary yesterday, marking the opening of The Water's Edge in 1995.

Hundreds of business executives gathered to toast the transformation of 17 acres of wasteland on the west side of the city into one of the most popular destinations in Birmingham.

Owned and managed by Argent, Brindleyplace, with its public squares and tree lined streets, is home to more than 8,500 employees, who work for 25 businesses. There are also 30 bars, restaurants, shops and cafes as well as a selection of the city's most popular leisure venues.

Gary Taylor, director of Argent, said: "Celebrating Brindleyplace's tenth birthday is a major milestone - not just for Argent, our onsite management team and all those who have been involved in the development of the estate over the years, but for the city as a whole. It is the achievements of Brindleyplace and the catalytic effect on the landscape of the West End we want to celebrate." In the early days of Brindleyplace, there was little on the site.

Broad Street was yet to develop into the city's most well known strip of bars and restaurants, the International Convention Centre had only recently opened and the concrete collar had definitely not been broken.

The Water's Edge was the first part to take shape, swiftly followed by construction of One and Two Brindleyplace and the Central Square. The completion of the development was marked earlier this year by a visit from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who launched the core buildings - Seven, Eight and Ten Brindleyplace.