New square and apartments for old museum site
MORE than 200 new apartments, shops and a public square are to be built on the historic site of the old Birmingham Science Museum in the Jewellery Quarter.
Plans have been unveiled for the next phase of the regeneration of Newhall Square which has already seen two hotels, a store and offices built.
Birmingham-based IM Properties and its residential development arm Spitfire Bespoke Homes are working on the next stage of the regeneration which comprises both new buildings and the renovation of former factories on land off Newhall Street.
The project, which will reach up to 11 storeys, will contain 133 onebedroom and 82 two-bedrooms apartments, six three-bedroom townhouses, a residents’ clubhouse, public square, and four shops.
The land earmarked for the development, which includes a pay and display car park, has been vacant for more than a decade.
Buildings in the new scheme will be named Elkington House, Whitmore House and Wright House as a reference to the site’s former use as a factory. Elkington & Co. was established there in 1830 and occupied the whole site bounded by Fleet Street, Charlotte Street and Newhall Street.
The company patented the first effective electroplating process – with the new name Wright House chosen as a nod to John Wright who invented it.
The factory continued to be developed and expanded with more modern buildings throughout the 20th century but the works closed in the 1950s and the building later became Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry.
A Grade II-listed section of the old works’ offices at 144 Newhall Street remains to this day and is known for its distinctive, bright yellow colour.
This portico, plus the old Whitmore Warehouse in the square and the derelict 94 Charlotte Street, will also be used in the development.
Previous phases of Newhall Square comprise renovated office space and a new Travelodge hotel which were developed in 2008.
A convenience store opened in late 2015 which was followed by the Staycity apart-hotel.
The Engine House, which is one of the few remaining parts of the former Elkington Works and Science Museum, is now in use as an architectural studio.
Birmingham-based practice Associated Architects has designed the new scheme. Director Richard Perry said: “Newhall Square will provide the final stage of development for a key site in the Jewellery Quarter Conservation area. We have worked closely with IM Properties and Spitfire Bespoke Homes to design a scheme that will offer residents high-quality accommodation with a strong sense of community.”