The heart of Birmingham is set to get even bigger! It's coming - Eastside Locks

Take the post to see what's now been approved that will add even greater 'heart' to the City Centre in Birmingham.

Birmingham's skyscraper pipeline is actively heating up.

St Joseph Homes - a subsidiary of building giant Berkeley Group had their plans approved (July 2019) to develop a major mixed-use development in the heart of the city.

Seven new builds of varying sizes will go up, including a landmark 123m, 37-storey tower, in the ever evolving Eastside district of the city.

After 18 months of pre-application meetings and consultations, the scheme, designed by Glenn Howells Architects, was openly welcomed by the planning committee.

The project will see a total of 753 homes over three plots.

Across these, 364 one-bedroom, 369 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom units will be created.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside Locks Glenn Howells 1 Artists Impression (1).png" style="width: 100%;" />Artist Impressions by Glenn Howells Architects

The scheme will also see an 18-storey building built, with the remainder being mostly nine storeys tall.

"Our vision for the site is to create an inclusive community that will reconnect the rich heritage of Eastside Locks with this dynamic and innovative quarter of Birmingham." - Glenn Howells

The £200m development will include up to 20K square foot of flexible commercial space, with the inclusion of a gym, cinema and games room, plus new public and private open spaces.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside Locks Glenn Howells 1 Artists Impression (2).png" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside Locks Glenn Howells 1 Artists Impression (3).png" style="width: 100%;" />Artist Impressions by Glenn Howells Architects

These three new public spaces include Glassworks Square, Lawley Plaza and Pound Basin.

You can see the layout below. Glassworks is labeled as no.4, Lawley Plaza is no.5 and Pound Basin is no.6.

Whilst Pound Basin is effectively part of the waterway, commercial usages will overlook the canal and provide a picturesque seating area for both the public and residents alike.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside Locks Glenn Howells 1 Artists Impression (5).png" style="width: 100%;" />Eastside Locks layout by Glenn Howells Architcts

All will form welcoming gateways into Eastside Locks and provide a sense of place.

Pedestrians will take priority here, in what will be a car free environment, with canalside walkways at varying levels offering a choice of routes through the site with active frontages providing retail and leisure facilities along the way. 

Each plot will include secure basement level car and cycle parking for 769 bikes and a capacity for 108 cars, including 15 disabled and 10 electric charging points.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside Locks Glenn Howells 1 Artists Impression (4).png" style="width: 100%;" />Visual impact picture by Glenn Howells Architects

The site today sits largely derelict, with just a wall near the canal due to be demolished.

BEELINE TO BIRMINGHAM

Berkeley have traditionally focused on London and the southeast market in recent times, however, with Birmingham booming, they are making a beeline to the Second City in a bid to exploit housing demand in the city.

And they have grand plans, too.

“We have ambitious, long term plans for Birmingham and these sites will be followed by many others in the years to come.” - Tony Pidgeley, CEO of Berkeley Group

One of which is the 21-storey canalside Snow Hill Wharf complex, a 406-apartment scheme on Shadwell Street in the Gun Quarter, which is currently under construction, and can be viewed here: https://www.itsyourbuild.com/project/105687

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

Plot D: (37 storey tower) - 127 one bed, 138 two bed & 8 three bed apartments with concierge service and three commercial units on the ground floor.

Plot E: (Four 9 storey blocks) - 180 one bed and 132 two bed apartments with podiums providing communal outdoor amenity space. The ground floor will  accommodate a residents lounge, games room, cinema and entrance to the basement car park, plus three units of flexible commercial floorspace.

Plot F: (Part 1, 5, 10 & 18 storeys) - 57 one bed, 99 two bed and 12 three bed apartments along with two units of flexible commercial floorspace, with concierge and a gym.  The roof above the commercial units and central plant area will also provide a communal outdoor amenity area for residents.

To keep up with these exciting developments, be sure to follow www.ItsyourBuild.com, @GtrBhamDevs and @itsyourbuild on Twitter