One Ratcliff Square
Plans for a new 152-bedroom hotel at Paradise have been designed through a collaboration between Glenn Howells Architects and ISA Architecture & Design. It serves as an essential part of the Phase 2 development following the completion of the first phase and the re-opening of the transformed Chamberlain Square.
One Ratcliffe Square’s form and language provides a distinct style within the masterplan context, befitting of the aspirations of a contemporary boutique hotel to anchor this corner of the Paradise masterplan.
The hotel will bring immediate life and activity, with ground floor uses spilling out onto Western Terrace, creating a focal point on this key pedestrian route and linking to Birmingham’s westside.
Its unique location on the fringe of the masterplan and defining two new public spaces requires the building to exist simultaneously as a cornerstone in its own right as well as a key element of the overall masterplan.
The orientation of one of these public spaces; the Western Terrace makes it a superb location for visitors to enjoy and dwell throughout the day and evening. It will benefit from activation by pedestrians moving through the space as well as spill out from the hotel’s bar and restaurant.
One Ratcliffe Square’s design is expressed with an elegance and clarity that reflects the location within the Paradise masterplan, and pays reverence to its historical civic context of the surrounding area.
The singular nature of the deep fluted form is modelled at the base and top with a contrasting composition of solid and void to signal the internal programme of uses including the restaurant and sky bar as well as to accentuate the dual entrances.
The natural qualities of the Flemish bonded brickwork with reconstituted stone detailing will provide an inherent variation in texture and will contrast with the bold colours and crisp modernity of the adjacent commercial buildings.
Glenn Howells Architects approach to using masonry in this way takes cue from the facades that once existed along Paradise Street and will add to the rich and varied palette of materials seen across the masterplan.
The ground floor is expressed as a double height order with a regular rhythm of columns and large-scale openings. The deep, covered entrances at ground level, expressed as porticos, will provide a civic quality to the hotel and grandeur to the streetscape, enhancing the relationship with the new public realm.
The bedroom floors will feature full height windows set into a fluted brick bay with reconstituted stone detailing to help articulate the facade and allow a play of light and shade throughout the day.
The Skybar with its terrace and private dining rooms will have an aspect over all four sides of the hotel, allowing guests and visitors fantastic panoramic views across the city and the fluted silhouette above adding to the skyline.
