The ethos behind the design is to provide a backdrop to the tower reflecting the important landmark whilst creating a new identity for the YMCA. The building is set out to enhance the existing public facilities within the site and open up the street frontage to public uses.
An extensive period of design development looked at the history of the site and its wider connections within West Bromwich and the YMCA's links to an International Alliance. Developed in collaboration with artist David Patten the historic concepts and connections will manifest themselves in the built fabric and will reference items such as Hamblets Brickworks once famed to be the strongest engineering brick in the world and manufactured from a marl hole 500 yards from the site.
The new development will provide a much needed expansion of the YMCAs existing facilities enhancing the Public Cafe, Gymnasium and meeting spaces and providing office, training and enterprise centres to be accessed by residents and public. The core element of the scheme will be the creation of 89 one bedroom residential units to include dedicated spaces for young parents.
The overall cost of the scheme will be circa £12 million with £1 million of this already being used in phase 1 to create a new children and family centre with a 72 place Nursery funded by Sure Start.