Planners approve £45m Chinese-backed apartment scheme

How the Arden Gate apartment scheme will look

Plans for a new 214-apartment scheme in Birmingham – backed by Chinese investment – have been given the go ahead by city councillors.

The Arden Gate scheme, which will be built on the site of a former council-owned computer centre in William Street, are supported by Top Capital Group.

The scheme, estimated at £45m, is set to become one of the largest Chinese-funded residential property developments in Birmingham’s history.

Hong Kong-based Top Capital Group is partnering with Anthony McCourt’s Birmingham-based Court Collaboration for the project, which has been approved by Birmingham’s planning committee.

John Gunning, a director of Top Capital Group, said work on the new scheme was earmarked to begin this autumn.

Mr Gunning said: “We are committed to investing in Birmingham and we are really excited about Arden Gate. It is in a prime location and future communities will clearly benefit from the growth of the city centre. We can’t wait to start on this project.”

Top Capital Group is also backing the Franklin House scheme, which involves the conversion of the former Cadburys headquarters in Bournville into a 79-luxury apartment scheme. The conversion was also developed in partnership with Court Collaboration.

The Arden Gate scheme has been designed by architects Corstorphine + Wright and the intention is that the completed scheme will be ready for occupation in the autumn of 2019.

Mr McCourt, CEO and founder of Court Collaboration, said Arden Gate would be a welcome addition to the city’s residential facilities and its location close to Arena Central and the Paradise Birmingham development was likely to mean the apartments would be in strong demand.

“Birmingham needs new homes and, when we bought this property, we promised the city council we would move fast to deliver these new homes,” he said.

“Top Capital Group invested in our city for the first time in 2014 and is now committed to further development investments. I think this shows the strength of Birmingham now. They are investing again in the city, and even more this time, and we’re very proud of importing so much development capital from the Far East into Birmingham. It’s a great show of faith in Birmingham after Brexit.”

The apartments will be sold through Court Living – the newly established sales arm of the developer Court Collaboration.

Court Collaboration is also redeveloping Holloway Head and the Birmingham Chest Clinic building.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close