Carillion : Paradise crane towers over Birmingham skyline

Paradise Tower Crane

The Birmingham skyline changed over the weekend as Carillion erected the first of two tower cranes at the Paradise site.

The arrival of the tower cranes marks a major step forward in construction at the city centre development.

Carillion is the main contractor for the enabling, infrastructure and demolition work on the site and also secured the contract for the first building at Paradise - One Chamberlain Square. Work on the building's foundations has progressed quickly and the installation of the cranes will enable the above ground construction of One Chamberlain Square.

The first crane TC1, which can lift 87 metres above ground and can reach 49 metres out from its base, was put up over the weekend. It is due to be joined in the coming days by the slightly smaller TC2, which can lift up to 55 metres in height with a maximum reach of 44 metres.

Simon Dingle, Operations Director at Carillion, said: 'Paradise has been such a great project to work on, and I'm lucky to have been here from the very start. While 2016 was a year dominated by demolition, 2017 will be a year of construction. This next stage will be one of the most exciting of all, as One Chamberlain Square starts to take shape and Paradise begins to offer a new presence on Birmingham's skyline, which has already changed so much in such a short space of time.'

Rob Groves, Regional Director at Argent, said: 'The past 12 months have been very exciting; as a result of the demolition work we've opened up some stunning new views through the city and also made great progress preparing for construction.'