The latest crane survey from Deloitte shows nearly 1m sq ft of office space is currently under construction in the city – the highest level since the survey began back in 2002.

The ten-year average is 384,000 sq ft and the historic low in 2013 saw levels drop to just 14,000 sq ft.

Six new starts were recorded during the last quarter of 2015 a “after a period of low levels of construction, activity has returned to the city.”

The survey also reveals an increase in leisure and retail developments in the city and a surge in hotels and student accommodation schemes.

Edwin Bray, lead partner of Deloitte Real Estate in the Midlands, told the Birmingham Post: “This is an incredibly positive report in many ways and reflects the sentiment towards Birmingham and the wider Midlands region that we are seeing across our firm and client-base, not just here in the UK, but globally.

“The Midlands Engine is roaring loud and clear and the year-on-year improvements and investments, such as the £600 million refurbishment of New Street Station, the Grand Central shopping centre and the new Midlands Metro, just continue to strengthen the city’s offer.”