Contractors, GRAHAM, have also started installing the brick faced, pre cast external façade on the 6 storey building.
It is another major milestone for the development that has already become a prominent feature of the city centre’s skyline.
i9 is set in the heart of the City of Wolverhampton Interchange and emerged as a scheme following the success of the award winning i10 complex on the opposite side of Railway Drive.
The finished building will provide up to 52,000 sq ft of stunning Grade A office space, which has potential for 5,600 sq ft of retail or leisure space and is planned for completion in summer 2021.
It is the next step in developing a thriving commercial quarter at the heart of Wolverhampton Interchange - bringing further investment and jobs to the city.
City of Wolverhampton Council and leading property developer, Ion, selected Glenn Howells Architects’ design for i9 as the winner from a strong field of ten UK leading architects and urban design practices in a national design competition.
They are the architects behind the Paradise Birmingham scheme - one of the biggest city centre development projects in the UK.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see the progress being made with the i9 development, which is attracting strong interest from potential occupiers.
“This fantastic development will help us stimulate economic growth in the city, bringing hundreds of jobs and much needed opportunities for local people in our recovery from the current Covid-19 crisis.
“As well as helping get Wolverhampton back on its feet, it is another step towards our aspirations of creating a commercial district in this area of the city centre.”
The design has drawn influence from Wolverhampton’s family of red brick Victorian buildings - providing a complementary, contemporary addition fit for 21st century working life.
It is set to house retail or leisure within the ground floor of the building as well as a rooftop amenity space, with panoramic views towards the city centre conservation area and Interchange.
Ion Development Director, Rob Mason, added: “GRAHAM have made excellent progress in completing the concrete frame of the building and have now commenced the brick and glass façade panels which have been manufactured off site and are a strong feature of the building. The next milestone will be ensuring the building is watertight which is expected within the next couple of months.”
GRAHAM will target a BREEAM Excellent rating to guarantee the long term sustainability of the building and lower any potential impact on the surrounding environment.
GRAHAM Regional Director, Ronan Hughes, said: “The topping out of i9 is a significant milestone and a clear indication of the tremendous progress we are making in constructing this new signature office development. Coupled with the installation of the first pieces of brick façade, the vision of our partners is beginning to really take shape. i9 represents a positive step forward in the continued regeneration of Wolverhampton, and we are proud to be playing our part in constructing this high spec office building, creating jobs for local people, and providing continued opportunities for local supply chain partners. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the wider project team to deliver a distinctive, showpiece building that is the benchmark for future developments in the city.”
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is supporting the development of i9.
Tom Westley, Black Country LEP Chair, added: “The City of Wolverhampton Interchange has already changed the face of the city in terms of both infrastructure and connectivity and it is great to see progress on new developments such as i9. Developments like these are bringing job and investment opportunities to the Black Country as we all focus on recovery.”
Any occupier/party interested in i9 should contact Knight Frank 0121 200 2220.
A gallery of images can also be viewed at Flickr.
