Construction of the tower began in 2004 with demolition of the previous building on the site, and was completed in 2007.

As part of the development, the original façades of some of the previous buildings have been retained and incorporated into the lowrise sections of the complex.

The first planning application for the Orion Building was submitted on 3 December 2001 to Birmingham City Council.

The original contractor, Carillion, fell out with Crosby Homes and construction on the site stopped.

[6] Another planning application was submitted for the reuse of 93-97 John Bright Street, a listed building, as apartments and retail.

[7] On 5 October 2004 Crosby Homes submitted a planning application to add another four floors to the tower and another storey to the block adjacent to it.

It was nominated for the 2007 Carbuncle Cup, and The Times newspaper named it as one of the ugliest new buildings in Britain in August 2007.