Birmingham's skyline is constantly changing. You only have to look back over the last 12 years to see how much the city has altered.
From the initial development of Brindleyplace to the ongoing regeneration of East-side, in the eye of the developer, Birmingham is flourishing.
It comes as no surprise to many that this year will see a step-change in marketing the City to the property industry.
Marketing Birmingham is supporting Locate in Birmingham in spearheading a campaign that will highlight the offering the city has for developers and inward investors.
As part of this plan, and with support from the region's leading players, Birmingham will be represented at MIPIM, (Marche International des Professionnels del'Immobilier), the leading property exhibition.
James Howarth, of Abstract Land, said: "Birmingham is open for business. This is the city's message and it is being broadcast loud and clear.
"Already completed is the #530 million Bullring; work has begun at Masshouse; Paradise Circus looks set to be transformed in a #1 billion redevelopment plan and Birmingham City Council is coordinating plans to include a #350 million facelift for New Street station."
So, what are the main properties that should be recognised and which ones should we look out for in 2006?
The Birmingham Post asked the top developers and industry players to give us their thoughts.
Coun Mike Whitby, leader of the city council, nominated four developments as examples of Birmingham leading the way in urban regeneration.
He said The Cube, designed by internationally renowned architect Ken Shuttleworth, was "bold, brave and impressive".
He went on: "This emblematic structure will be another futuristic development for Birmingham. It will be a confident statement of Birmingham's ability to attract the very best and personifies our recent accolade as European City of the Future.
His second nomination, Matthew Boulton College, is "a great design, a brave project in a high profile strategic location which has been delivered on time and within budget".
The City Park Gate mixed use scheme, a joint venture between developers Countryside Properties, Quintain and Birmingham City Council, is also nominated by Coun Whitby as "another major building block in taking forward the vision for Eastside".
He said: "Designed by Richard Rogers this scheme will relate exceptionally well to the adjacent Bullring, the Mass-house scheme and Matthew Boulton College."
University Hospital is the leader's fourth nomination.
"This is the largest PFI scheme under way in the UK which will deliver the finest hospital in Europe when it is completed in 2010-2011.
"In addition to the treatment facilities it also will provide a major research and development hub. It will make a major contribution to the knowledge and science-based strengthening of the local economy and to the technology belt," he said.
Rod Ackrill, chairman of Chase Midland, nominates his own 134 Edmund Street development, saying it is Birmingham's best completed commercial development of 2005.
"It was delivered at exactly the right time and served to satisfy some of the strong demand for Grade A office space that is currently rife in the city centre. It was consequently fully let within just six months of completing building works and was sold in the summer for #37.5 million.
"134 Edmund Street is certainly illustrative of the appeal Birmingham holds for investors, there is a lot of interest out there and we need to ensure that it is maintained with the constant delivery of new and iconic buildings."
Rod, however, also warns that continued development is key for the city as a whole. He said: "There is no denying that Birmingham has changed dramatically over the past five years but we mustn't ignore the fact that it still holds a great deal of potential for regeneration.
"Projects such as New Street station, Eastside and the proposed super casino would go a long way in regenerating this side of the city, making good use of up to 60 acres of contaminated land.
"Chase is currently developing over 260 units - a mix of apartments, live/work and retail units - on Granville Street and Commercial Street which have already been pre-sold to investors.
"These schemes will be completed in 2006/07 and will regenerate these areas of Birmingham.
"However, there is no getting away from the fact that there is a distinct shortage of family homes in the city centre with large numbers of one and two-bedroom apartments already available.
"We need to ensure that we do not reach a situation, as in London, where only those people who have plenty of money can afford to live in the city centre."
Jayne Herritty, sales and marketing director for Calthorpe Estates, selects the University Science Park Pebble Mill as her nomination.
"The re-development of Pebble Mill into a world class science park will have significant impact on the regeneration of Birmingham and developing of a new skills base.
"The University Science Park Pebble Mill is a flagship
development on a 12 acre site, that will be a true centre of excellence for the life sciences sector. It will create an estimated 1,500 new jobs, providing a substantial stream of sustainable employment in a new industry.
"The scheme will help cultivate and stimulate advances in biomedical industries, elevating Birmingham's status and underlining the city's international recognition and appeal."
Mr Howarth nominated Colmore Plaza, being developed by his company.
It has large 23,000 sq ft floorplates and a total of 307,000 sqft over 14 floors.
He said: "Our flagship office scheme, Colmore Plaza, will contribute significantly to the city's evolving skyline, offering much needed highly specified office accommodation that will be finished to an unrivalled quality.
"Our concept at Abstract Land is to provide London-quality offices in the regions. Now, more than ever before, Birmingham deserves the best with the vibrant city core offering a powerful mix of both inner city living, leisure, retail and business activities.
"Birmingham is rapidly becoming a destination and we hope that ColmorePlaza will help promote further investment within the business core from local, national and international companies who appreciate Birmingham's quality of life."
Nominating two developments, is the Birmingham Development Company's Alan Chatham.
"There is no doubt that Birmingham has been transformed into a cosmopolitan city unrecognisable to its previous image.
"Our city centre has rightly earned the pride of its inhabitants and garnered international status through a variety of stunning developments that have won regional, national and international awards for their vision and calibre.
"Five years ago The Mailbox was a big grey box surrounded by dusty old derelict buildings, yet now we have the city's first and biggest exclusive mixeduse building surrounded by a plethora of stylish residential developments.
"Similarly no one can doubt the success of Bullring; the regeneration of this failing area of the city is exemplary; the offering for the mass market is unrivalled within Europe and the Selfridges building is a phenomenal example of contemporary architecture which has justifiably turned heads across the globe."
Ian Fox of Targetfollow not only highlights the city's recent award as European City of the Future but also nominates Baskerville House. He said: "Birmingham is already a major player on the international regeneration stage and as investors and developers we are keen to be involved in the future growth potential of a city that is moving forward at such a rapid pace.
"Birmingham's innovation and determination to lead the way has been recognised through its recent accolade of European City of the Future in the European Property Awards and we need to continue to build on this success.
"2006 will see the regeneration of the city continue with the completion of some schemes and the start of others. Our first scheme in Birmingham is the #100 million transformation of Baskerville House - one of the city's landmark buildings and one of the largest regional speculative office developments currently under way. This 200,000 sq ft development underlines our confidence in the Birmingham office market and its potential future growth.
"In addition, our appointment of Sir Terry Farrell to work in conjunction with Birmingham City Council to draw up a strategic design framework for the land surrounding Baskerville House, cements our commitment to the future regeneration of Birmingham.
"Building speculatively in today's market is a brave move. However, it is vital to the future of cities that investment is maintained.
Neil Rami, chief executive, Marketing Birmingham, nominates Beethan Tower with the Radisson SAS.
"The Radisson SAS is an exciting development in the city and a prominent feature which will play an important role in attracting new visitors to Birmingham," he said.
"As a global destination for both business and leisure markets, Birmingham is Europe's busiest meeting point and a natural meeting place. The Radisson SAS will continue to help showcase Birmingham as a world class city."
Nominating Snow Hill is Ballymore's Richard Probert.
He said: "For the past 25 years Snow Hill has been more a "blot on the landscape" than what it should be - a strategic gateway to Birmingham city centre. The imminent redevelopment of Snow Hill is an exciting opportunity to correct this anomaly.
"Our proposals for the Snow Hill redevelopment will not only enhance the whole area by creating a high quality mixed use scheme - but it will greatly extend Birmingham's attractive public open spaces and create new linkages from the city centre to St Chads and beyond to the Gun and Jewellery Quarters."
