Skyscraper plans for Birmingham

The 27-storey building is planned as part of a wider complex by the Bullring

Plans for two skyscrapers which could dominate Birmingham city centre's skyline have been unveiled.

Kuwaiti firm Sahlia Investments wants to build a 27-storey glass tower called the Beorma Building as part of a wider Beorma Quarter complex by the Bullring.

And Regal Property Group wants to build the 50-storey Regal Tower, in the main bar and club area, Broad Street.

The city council said planning permission had not yet been granted for either building.

An application has been lodged with the council for the Beorma Building and plans for the Regal Tower are yet to be submitted, he added.

'Investment opportunity'

However, if permission is granted work could begin in less than 12 months.

Designs for the Regal Tower and Beorma Quarter were revealed at the MIPIM property convention in Cannes, France.

The companies said by the time both developments were completed they could provide employment for about 1,000 people in total and that funding was in place for the projects.

Keith Williams, of Sahlia Investments added: "I would expect on completion that the end capital investment would be in excess of £150m and that would be spread over a three to five year period."

Roger Holbeche of Regal Property Group said: "Very few banks are lending money at the moment. They will only lend to the best of projects, only those they feel have the best chance of success."

BBC Midlands Today correspondent Robin Punt said the companies had chosen Birmingham because it offered "good value for money" as London land prices remain high.

He said the developments would create a demand for specialist construction workers and both companies had pledged to recruit locally.