and papers were signed in 2004. In December 2004, planning permission, which would have run out for the tower in February 2005, was extended to December 2010. Redesign and a new proposal Early history Due to the problems the project encountered, a new masterplan was produced and Multiplex was awarded the contract for construction of the tower. The masterplan unveiled in 2006, however, did not specifically outline the details of individual buildings. A model of the tower was present, though the detail and the roof feature were not on the images released. The shape of the tower in the models confirmed that the design by HOK Architects was not to be used. It was described as going to appear as if it "is squeezed in the middle creating two bulges". A news article in the Estate Gazette on 17 June 2006 stated that the height of the tower would be 175 metres and the Civil Aviation Authority agreed that it would not have any problems with the tower if it was 175 metres tall; however, they would have to comment on the planning application if any taller. Other news articles said the tower would be of 47 storeys though whether this is in reference to the old design or the new design is unclear. In September 2006, it was revealed that construction would be delayed yet again. It was also revealed that the tower would be the first constructed part of the development due to the lack of demolition needed on the site. On 12 February 2007, Arena Central Developments was granted a 250-year lease on the land by Birmingham City Council. Team Eric Kuhne of Eric R Kuhne & Associates and Civic Arts Architects was appointed by Dandara Ltd to design the form, the façades, the public realm, the lobbies and commercial tenancies of the tower. The apartments and the technical delivery have been designed by Scott Brownrigg Architects, with whom Eric Kuhne and Civic Arts Architects collaborated. The design is revealed The first indication of the design of the tower was revealed on the Pipers Models website. The website presented images of a model of the building that had been produced for the developers to be unveiled at the upcoming MIPIM show in Cannes, France. The design shown was different from what was quoted as having been "squeezed in the middle creating two bulges". Instead the design featured