Shaylor showcases city regeneration scheme to new West Midlands Mayor

Developer Shaylor Group has shown off progress on one of its Birmingham city centre schemes to the new West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street.

The company is currently restoring the Christopher Wray Lighting Factory in Eastside in a project that will see the listed building brought back into use as a new student accommodation and mixed-use facility.

The restoration is taking place alongside the construction of a new 15-storey student accommodation block.

The completed project will provide student accommodation, retail units, office space and bars.

Mr Street was shown around the project by Shaylor Group CEO Stephen Shaylor. During his tour, Mr Street was given an insight into the history of the building and how the new project fit in with the ongoing expansion of Birmingham City University and the wider Eastside area.

Joining Mr Shaylor was Simon Linford, owner of developer C-zero, and Richard Sapcote, Shaylor Group’s heritage specialist, plus various senior site managers.

Mr Shalor said: “We are incredibly proud to be transforming a building with this much historical and local significance and were delighted when Andy expressed an interest in joining us on site. We are really pleased to see him immediately rolling his sleeves up and getting stuck into local business concerns.”

Mr Street said: “Eastside is receiving a huge amount of attention and investment at the moment with HS2 set to arrive on the doorstep in the next ten years. That’s why I am particularly pleased to see the Christopher Wray site being saved.

“I think most Brummies will be familiar with this building and it’s been in a sorry state for many years now. I would like to congratulate everybody involved for a project which will not only be a valuable addition to the skyline in Birmingham, but also preserves an important part of our heritage.”