Wolverhampton's multi million pound Interchange project has been given a further boost with the showpiece i10 building set to be completed next week.

i10 will provide the only top grade office accommodation in the city and is a key component in the council's £10.6 million office, retail and leisure development in this area.

It comprises 28,000 square feet of BREEAM Excellent standard office accommodation arranged over 3 floors, which sits above 12,400 sq ft of leisure and retail accommodation.

Greene King became the first tenant to come on board last year and will open a Hungry Horse family friendly pub restaurant on the ground floor of i10 in the New Year.

Superdrug is also on track to open in early 2016. The City of Wolverhampton Council is in advanced negotiations with a number of businesses for a further 3 ground floor retail units and the 3 floors of office space. The final retail unit will be marketed in the New Year.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets, said: "It is great to see the vision become a reality - i10 stands out as a beacon in the city landscape.

"This is a major development for the City of Wolverhampton and has been delivered on time and on budget.

"We already have tenants signed up and are in advanced negotiations with others whom we expect to sign up shortly.

"This demonstrates confidence and optimism in the city to potential investors, which will in turn lead to further regeneration and job creation as we build on the £868 million already invested or in the pipeline in the city centre."

Last month the main phase of the demolition work to the former Steam Mill at Corn Hill was completed - paving the way for the site to be cleared and preparations to begin to refurbish and extend the multi storey car park at the railway station from January 2016.

Wider development will include a new railway station, extension of the Metro, and new coach link on Bilston Street, while the new bus station is already in use.

As well as encouraging more investment and boosting prosperity in the city, the Interchange will become a key gateway for people arriving off the national rail network, by bus or Metro.

Planners gave i10 the green light in March 2014 and the project has been delivered with Neptune Developments and Balfour Beatty.

"Peter Fennell, Balfour Beatty Site Manager, said: "We are delighted we have been able to deliver the construction of i10 on schedule. The completed building is something for the city to be proud of."

Steve Parry, Managing Director of Neptune Developments, said: "The completion of i10 is a significant step forward in helping us deliver future phases of the Interchange scheme."

  • released: Friday 11 December, 2015