The operator of what will be one of Birmingham's highest restaurants has been revealed.
D&D London has signed up to open a new venue 24 floors above the city centre at 103 Colmore Row alongside a ground-floor cocktail bar and café with outdoor terrace.
The company was founded in 2006 by Des Gunewardena and David Loewi and has grown to a portfolio of 43 restaurants based mainly in London but with additional sites in Manchester, Leeds, Paris and New York.
Its restaurants in the capital include Bluebird Chelsea, German Gymnasium, Quaglinos, Coq d'Argent and Sartoria but the names and concepts of the new venues in Birmingham are still to be revealed.
Sterling Property Ventures, the owner and developer of 103 Colmore Row, has agreed a 25-year lease with D&D London on 6,412 sq ft on the 23rd and 24th floors, plus 1,653 sq ft on part of the ground floor.
The restaurant will have a self-contained entrance, with access to the upper floors from two dedicated lifts leading directly from the cocktail bar.
The building, which will also have a winter garden and terrace on the 18th floor, is due for completion in summer 2021 with D&D London's two venues expected to open in the autumn.
Mr Gunewardena said: "We have been looking to open a restaurant in Birmingham for some time now, just waiting to find the right site.
"With its central location and unrivalled rooftop views, 103 Colmore Row provides us with a fabulous opportunity to join the city's thriving restaurant scene.
"Following our Leeds and Manchester openings, and with a Bristol launch planned for later this year, our 103 Colmore Row venture reflects our continued commitment to expansion in the UK outside of London."
103 Colmore Row will comprise 223,631 sq ft of grade A office space over 26 floors and is said to be the tallest new office building under construction outside London.
It was designed by architecture practice Doone Silver Kerr.
James Howarth, managing director of Sterling Property Ventures, said: "Since we revealed plans for a rooftop restaurant at 103 Colmore Row, news of the appointed operator has been eagerly awaited.
"In what we believe is the best restaurant space in Birmingham, in what will be the best office building, we couldn't think of a better operator than D&D to partner with on both the rooftop restaurant and ground floor café and bar.
"The restaurant space will complement the building, further anchoring it as Birmingham's best business address.
"Coupled with D&D's experience of operating highly successful landmark restaurants, it promises to deliver something truly special for Birmingham's thriving dining scene."
