214 apartments set for city centre
MORE than 200 new apartments are set to be built off Broad Street in the latest city deal backed by Chinese investors.
Birmingham developer Court Collaboration is working with investor Top Capital Group on the £45 million project to redevelop Cedar House which once housed a city council data centre.
The new development in William Street, to be call Arden Gate, will involve the demolition of the old council office block and the construction of 214 apartments.
A deal for the plot was first unveiled last year after Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy took part in a trade delegation to China.
A new image of how the apartment block will look has been released with the city council’s planning committee due to award the project the green light at its meeting this week.
It is expected to have 64 parking spaces and comprise 140 one-bedroom and 74 two-bedroom apartments.
John Gunning, a director with Hong Kong-based Top Capital Group, said: “We are committed to investing in Birmingham and we are really excited about Arden Gate.
“It is in a prime location and future communities will clearly benefit from the growth of the city centre. We can’t wait to start on this project.”
Architecture phine + Wright practice Corstorhas designed the scheme which is due for completion by autumn 2019.
Top Capital Group is also behind the redevelopment of Franklin House, the old Cadbury headquarters in Bournville, to create 79 apartments.
Court Collaboration founder Anthony McCourt said: “Arden Gate will be a welcome addition to the city and bring a real sense of place to this neighbourhood.
“It’s a great location, next to Broad Street and a stone’s throw from Arena Central.
“With the proposed landscaping scheme and attractive street scene work, this is going to transform the area.”
Mr McCourt said it was a huge vote of confidence in the city that overseas investors were returning with even larger investments.
He added: “Birmingham needs new homes and, when we bought this property, we promised the city council we would move fast to deliver these new homes. Top Capital Group invested in our city for the first time in 2014 and is now committed to further development investments.”