£100m bid for homes on former baths site
NEW plans have been lodged to build a £100 million, 18-storey residential complex in Birmingham city centre.
The project, on land off the A38 Bristol Street, will be a mix of properties to rent and buy.
A joint venture of Camborne Land Investments and Urban High Developments acquired the former Kent Street Baths site earlier this year.
They are planning to build 400 apartments to rent and a further 100 units to buy in what will be Camborne Land Investments’ first UK residential development.
There will also be a public courtyard, retail space, rooftop garden terrace and private residents’ hub.
Apartments in the proposed scheme will range from studios to three-bedroom units across five principal buildings, with heights ranging from six to 18 storeys.
The site once housed Kent Street Baths which opened in 1852 as the first public swimming facility and wash house provided by the Birmingham Baths Committee.
In 1930, the older structures were demolished to make way a new building containing swimming pools and Turkish and Russian baths but these closed and became derelict before being demolished.
Conal Long, investment director at Camborne Land Investments, said: “Our plans for a rental-led development at the former Kent Street Baths site continues the regeneration of Southside in Birmingham.
“It will act as a gateway to the forthcoming transformational Smithfield development while providing high-quality housing that is both sustainable and accessible for modern living.
“Birmingham’s drive and ambition gave us the confidence to make our first investment into residential property in the city.
“Given the current level of investment and the site’s prime location, it is the perfect opportunity for us to build on that momentum and make a lasting impression on the build-torent market.”
The 2.25-acre application site is bounded by Kent Street, Gooch Street North, Bromsgrove Street and Henstead Street. It forms part of The Gooch Estate which will retain its freehold interests there.
Charles Gillett, partner with property consultancy Pennycuick Collins which advised The Gooch Estate, said: “The estate is fully committed to Camborne Land Investments’ vision for the scheme. This is an exciting addition to the growing range of accommodation projects located within The Gooch Estate and there is huge demand for quality rental property in this vibrant part of the city.”
It has been designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects, whose director Dav Bansal added: “Our key focus for the Kent Street Baths scheme is to ensure community is central to the development by creating a desirable, innovative and attractive environment for people to live and enjoy.”
Work is expected to start in summer 2018, subject to planning approval.
Conal Long of Camborne Land Investments