103 Colmore Row or National Westminster House as it is often referred to, was previously owned by Nat West and eventually sold to the developer British Land. The building is 23 storeys high and was designed by John Madin.
The first phase of construction began as early as 1969 but it was only in 1976 that the tower element of the complex was completed. Since 2003 the building has been empty.
In 2008, British Land submitted planning permission to replace the tower with a new office skyscraper of 160 metres in height.
Planning permission was granted for the demolition of the existing building and for a 35 storey office building with ground floor retail, financial and professional services and restaurant / cafe. The project is estimated to cost around £160 million. Around 2,500 jobs are expected to be created.
When complete this will be one of the tallest buildings on the Birmingham landscape.
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