Sainsbury's

Dramatic design comes to the fore with an £18m flagship project for Sainsbury’s

THE PROJECT: As a leading UK retailer with a reputation for incorporating the most eye-catching and innovative architectural designs in its buildings, Sainsbury’s Plc demands an increasingly high level of creative genius and originality with every new project.

The Maypole development, on Alcester Road, right on the main southern Gateway into Birmingham, was no exception. Since its completion, the multi-purpose complex has dominated the skyline and has quickly become a failsafe landmark for visitors to the area – not least because of its dramatic stair and lift towers at either end. Comprising 75,000 square feet of supermarket, 15,000 square feet of non-food retail units and office accommodation, each split level is linked via futuristic-style travelators. With frameless glazing, coloured aluminium cladding panels, gentle curves and a constantly changing vista on all sides, the Maypole development is a triumphant example of brownfield site redevelopment and equally, of Pick Everard’s on-going 40-year relationship with the supermarket giant.

To date, Pick Everard has worked on more than 30 different Sainsbury’s projects, including Craigavon and Ballymena, both in Northern Ireland, Castle Boulevard, in Nottingham, and Selsdon, Croydon.

PICK EVERARD’S ROLE:  Architectural design
VALUE: £18 million