As by far the biggest city of the English Midlands, Birmingham has long been a significant hub for industry, trade, and arts and culture. And, in the last few decades, it has undergone a rapid transformation from industrial powerhouse to a dynamic and forward-thinking urban centre.
This change is perhaps most evidenced in its urban design and architecture. Like no other English city, construction projects in Birmingham have changed the face of the city, and this continues to the present day.
From sleek, futuristic skyscrapers, to renovated Industrial Revolution-era buildings, to vast infrastructure projects, construction in Birmingham is booming. With the news that HS2 will soon be connected to the city, as well as other contributing factors, businesses are lining up to invest.
With this in mind, join us as we run through the top 10+ current construction projects in Birmingham, featuring all the new developments that are ascending into the West Midlands sky.
Curzon Street Station
Maximum Height: 15 metres
Developers: WSP and Grimshaw Architects
Construction type: New Construction
Type of building: Transportation Hub
Completion: TBC
The new Curzon Street station in Birmingham is a vast new transportation hub, currently under construction, which is set to become a major part of the UK’s high-speed rail network. With a maximum height of 15 metres, the station is being developed by WSP and Grimshaw Architects and is part of the massive HS2 scheme.
Located just south of the city centre, the completion date has yet to be confirmed, as the HS2 project has been with continued delays. However, the first trains are expected to run from the station sometime between 2029 and 2033.
The £460 million investment is expected to provide a significant boost to Birmingham’s economy, attracting new investment and offering a fast and efficient connection to London.
It is also the first intercity terminus station to be built in the UK since the 1800s!
Three Chamberlain Square
Maximum Height: 44 metres
Developers: MEPC
Construction type: New construction
Type of building: Office
Completion: 2024
Three Chamberlain Square is a new landmark office building currently under construction in Birmingham. Developed by MEPC, the building is set to be completed in 2024 and will rise to a maximum height of 44 metres.
The ten-storey building will offer 189,000 square feet of space, contributing to the ongoing revitalisation of the city centre as part of the wider £1.2 billion Paradise regeneration scheme.
With a unique design and prime location, it is expected to become a notable feature of the city’s skyline.
The Paradise project includes not only the creation of new office space, but also the development of the surrounding public spaces, retail areas, and restaurants, as well as the restoration of historic buildings.
One Eastside
Maximum Height: 152 metres
Developers: Court Collaboration
Construction type: New construction
Type of building: Residential
Completion: 2026
One of Birmingham’s highest-soaring new developments is the One Eastside project, that once completed in 2026 will be the second tallest building in Birmingham. Developed by Court Collaboration, it will offer 667 residential apartments.
With a total building cost of £160 million, One Eastside is a huge investment into Birmingham’s future, and it is bound to be a major feature in the city skyline for years to come. There are two towers as part of the scheme, the tallest of which will be 51 storeys high.
It forms part of a growing cluster of tall buildings that have a close proximity to the future site of the new Curzon Street station. This means it is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing infrastructure that is being developed in the area.
Exchange Square Phase 2
Maximum Height: 111 metres
Developers: McAleer & Rushe
Construction type: New construction
Type of building: Mixed Use
Completion: Summer 2023
The Exchange Square Phase 2 project in Birmingham is a mixed-use development, designed by Stephenson Studio, set to be completed in the summer of 2023. Developed by McAleer & Rushe, the future building will rise to a maximum height of 111 metres and is the final phase of Nikal’s £350 million Masshouse project.
Designed by Stephenson Studio, the development is located opposite the HS2 Curzon Birmingham station. It is a significant investment, with a total cost of £120 million expected for construction.
In phase 1 of the development, three buildings were constructed to house 603 Build to Rent apartments, spanning heights of seven to twenty-seven storeys. The upcoming second phase will feature a 15-storey Premier Inn Hotel that can accommodate 235 guests, alongside a Bar+Block Steakhouse restaurant.
Cortland Broad Street
Maximum Height: 111 metres
Developers: Cortland
Construction type: New construction
Type of building: Residential
Completion: 2024
Cortland Broad Street, formerly referred to as ‘The Square’, is a new construction development by Cortland that is set to become a prominent residential landmark in Birmingham. The development will comprise two buildings of 35 and six storeys respectively, offering 440 one and two-bedroom apartments.
In addition to its high-quality residential offerings, Cortland Broad Street will also feature over 12,000 square feet of amenity space. This will include a gym, cinema room, co-working space, bouldering wall, resident lounges, a private dining area, and a roof terrace.
The development is expected to provide a modern and vibrant living environment for its residents, with an emphasis on community and convenience. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2024.
The Octagon
Maximum Height: 155 metres
Developers: Midgard
Construction type: New Construction
Type of building: Residential
Completion: 2025
The title of tallest building in Birmingham could soon have a new holder. The Octagon is a boldly-designed skyscraper that is set to not only reach the highest point in its city, but also be the tallest octagon-shaped skyscraper in the world!
To be completed in 2025, The Octagon will house 364 homes, including 1-bed, 2-bed, and 3-bed apartments. It is designed by Glenn Howells Architects and forms part of the Paradise area regeneration in the heart of Birmingham.
Its central location, coupled with its unique design and luxurious residential offerings, is expected to make it a highly desirable destination for those seeking a modern and connected living experience in the heart of the city.
The Residences
Maximum Height: 57 metres
Developers: Winvic
Construction type: New Construction
Type of building: Residential
Completion: Late 2023
Birmingham’s world class cricket stadium Edgbaston is set to get a new neighbour in late 2023, with new project The Residences currently being built adjacent. Developed by Winvic, this will feature 375 built-to-rent apartments, aiming to reduce in part some of the housing need in the city.
The development will be split over two blocks, and feature a range of structures, with the highest having a maximum height of 57 metres. As the name of the future building suggests, The Residences will be primarily built for residential purposes.
In addition to the residential component, there will also be five ground floor retail/commercial units, offering a range of retail, food and beverage options to residents and visitors alike. When completed, it is sure to offer cricket fans and residents alike a wealth of new leisure options.
Setl
Maximum Height: 40 metres
Developers: HBD
Construction type: New Construction
Type of building: Mixed Use
Completion: August 2023
Setl is an exciting new construction project in Birmingham that is being developed by HBD, with design courtesy of BPN. The project includes 3 to 12 floors of buildings, the tallest of which will have a maximum height of 40 metres.
Located on Lionel Street in the Jewellery Quarter area of the city, preparatory work on the project began in October 2021. The core of the building is now rising, and completion is expected in Summer 2023.
As a mixed-use development, Setl will feature 101 one and two-bed apartments, along with commercial space on the ground floor. It is hoped that Setl will bring new investment and development to the Jewellery Quarter and create a new hub of activity in the city.
Port Loop
Maximum Height: TBC
Developers: Urban Splash
Construction type: Redevelopment
Type of building: Mixed Use
Completion: TBC
The massive regeneration project at Port Loop, a new 43-acre neighbourhood just west of Birmingham’s city centre, is well underway. At present, the second phase of construction is taking place after phase 1 completed in 2019.
Port Loop is being worked on by developers Urban Splash, and is being built on the Icknield Port Loop brownfield site, which was significant in the Industrial Revolution. The developers have placed a big focus on sustainable living, and when completed the project will offer traffic-free green streets, communal gardens and public parks.
In total, the new neighbourhood will have 1,150 new homes as well as lots of leisure and retail space. Situated in between Birmingham Canal Old Line and the Birmingham Canal, it will be just a 15-minute walk from Birmingham city centre.
One Centenary Way
Maximum Height: 68 metres
Developers: Sir Robert McAlpine
Construction type: New Construction
Type of building: Mixed Use
Completion: 2023
Just like some of the other buildings on this list, One Centenary Way is a mixed-use development project that is part of the huge Paradise regeneration project. Expected to be completed in 2023, it features a 68-metre tall, 13-story building, which will include offices as well as leisure space such as bars and restaurants on the ground floor.
The development features Birmingham’s first dedicated cycle hub in the basement of the building, which can accommodate up to 400 bikes. And, fascinatingly, it has been designed with a steel exoskeleton which allows it to straddle the A38 Queensway Tunnel which runs beneath the site.
One Centenary Way was designed by Glenn Howells Architects, with engineering input from Arup, who will be the main tenants. They will be relocating its Midlands office and 1,000 staff to the One Centenary Way building in 2023.
That’s it for our handy guide to the current top 10+ construction projects in Birmingham.
With a vast range of projects of all types dotting the urban landscape, it’s clear to see that it is a city quite literally on the rise. And, this is only the beginning; expect this construction boom to only continue once HS2 finally lays down its tracks at Curzon Street.
For more compilations, building news and architectural discussion, explore our latest articles, including our exploration of what makes civil engineering and architecture different.
Last Updated on 19 February 2023 by Michael