Former Jewellery Quarter foundry to be turned into flats
A SERIES of decaying industrial buildings in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter are set to be partially demolished to make way for a new apartment development
The project at 27-33 Great Hampton Street will create 136 new apartments and ground-floor commercial space.
The Lamp Works, as it will be known, is the third project in the road by Jewellery Quarter-based developer Blackswan, joining Gilders Yard opposite The University of Law and the old Gothic Pub at 1-4 Great Hampton Street.
In plans submitted to Birmingham City Council, the development would mean a series of buildings bounded by Great Hampton Street and Barr Street being demolished or regenerated. All flats will be available to rent only.
The site once contained foundry and furniture works.
Richard Whitehouse, development director with Blackswan, said: “As part of the development, we will a brass be retaining the skeleton of one of the buildings which will ensure a sense of history is retained through its form and decayed materials.
“This will be coupled with the salvaging and retention of the remaining original fire doors which will be incorporated and add to our aspiration to re-purpose and re-use found objects. The Lamp Works is a key part of our vision to deliver long-last- ing improvements to the building fabric and economy along the street.
“We are actively delivering this vision at Gilders Yard and Gothics and are very pleased to be able to continue this long-term commitment which will help in leading to Great Hampton Street being the best street in Birmingham.
“We are very enthusiastic about the scheme and the opportunity to deliver a high-quality, contemporary development reflecting the architectural heritage of the Jewellery Quarter.”
The run-down buildings currently house a range of tenants including Ethiopian restaurant Blue Nile while popular pub The Lord Clifden bounds the application site.
Developers said the proposals had been designed to create “acoustic separation” between the pub and new building.
Mr Whitehouse added: “The existing occupiers are all tenants of the current landowner and we and the landowner will deal with them professionally and sensitively.
“While they are all aware of the intention to sell the buildings and we have been round on numerous occasions, we have not, until now, been in a position to advise them of potential time frames.
“As to what each business chooses to do, this will be down to them….. but there is some commercial space being delivered within our scheme.”
The development has been designed by BPN Architects, also based in the Jewellery Quarter.