The proposed 35-storey tower, on the corner of Colmore Row and Newhall Street, is designed by award winning architects Hamiltons and could generate around 2,500 jobs and help attract more global and international companies to the city.

The scheme encompasses 285,000 sq ft of the highest quality office space, ground floor retail accommodation and the possibility of a roof top restaurant.

Robert Samuel, Director of British Land, said: “We believe we have designed not only a landmark building but also one that will bring real and tangible benefits to Birmingham city centre and to its business community. The design will play a vital role in maintaining the vibrancy and reputation of the city’s business district and we are very excited about the scheme. The building will incorporate a range of sustainable measures, and will provide a 30 per cent overall reduction in energy use compared with current standards.

The site of the former National Westminster House presents a unique opportunity to continue the process of urban regeneration in the heart of the city’s commercial centre and to provide a new landmark building that is symbolic of modern Birmingham’s dynamic transformation. This opportunity needs to be balanced against an understanding of the historic address in which the development sits and respond positively to this context.

John Silver, Director at Hamiltons comments, “Our aim has been to design a building with distinct sense of occasion; a building that holds interest and engages with the city when viewed from the surrounding context. Its interpretation will be enriched by the revealing of functional and organisational layers, and will have an enduring quality through its detailing" Subject to planning, demolition could start this year, with completion in 2011.