Work forging ahead for West Bromwich HQ
This towering 500-ton steel frame is the latest new addition to a town's changing skyline.
Work is forging ahead of what will become the new headquarters for West Bromwich Building Society.
The construction of the firm's new head office is the latest part of a massive regeneration project in West Bromwich, with several new structures built over the last decade.
The new 70,000 sq ft five-storey building next to the BT regional business centre off the A41 island in West Bromwich is due for completion in spring 2015 and will accommodate up to 700 staff.
Nick Trueman, a spokesman for the West Brom said: "Our new head office will represent a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly base from which the business can expand with our people fully equipped to support and serve our membership."
Building work is being carried out by Thomas Vale Construction.
It started with the removal of 5,000 tons of material to reach the level where foundations could be laid.
The new building will include state-of-the-art ventilation, heating and lighting control systems to minimise energy consumption.
The development site is close to the £200m flagship New Square shopping precinct.
When finished the companies new head office in Providence Place will replace the current headquarters in the High Street.
Earlier this year, the building society, which has been based in the town centre since 1849, announced that it had returned to profit for the first time since it was hit by the credit crunch.
The society, made a pre-tax profit of £2.1 million for the year to the end of March following a loss of £9.1m in 2012/2013. It made a return to the residential lending market and lent £213.6m, up from £19.3m for the previous year.
Savings inflow was £1.5 billion as the West Brom attracted 18,417 new savers.
Other buildings to open recently in the town include the £12.5 m leiusre centre that opened earlier this week to the public that has a 25-metre six land pool, gym and soft-indoor play area, New Square Shopping centre which will celebrate its first year in operation next month and the £77m Sandwell College Building completed in 2012.
