Developers target Southside for latest city centre apartment scheme

A property company behind some of Birmingham city centre’s more innovative apartment schemes has submitted plans for its latest project.

Warwick-based developer The Sandpiper Group is behind projects such as the Aqua building in Lionel Street and its close neighbour, Ludgate Lofts. It is also responsible for the Millennium Apartments scheme in Newhall Street and the conversion of the canalside complex known as Sherborne Lofts.

It is now looking to extend its portfolio by taking advantage of the growing popularity amongst developers for the city’s Southside area.

It has submitted plans for a part-seven, part-18 storey residential development on the corner of A38 Bristol Street and Essex Street. The junction is frequently used by people travelling to shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome or looking to access the Southside’s bars and restaurants.

The new development will see the demolition of the existing buildings on the corner site and their replacement with a mix of 68 one and two-bed apartments. The block will also have two commercial units at ground level.

The scheme has been designed by Jewellery Quarter-based BPN Architects. The possibility of converting the existing buildings was examined but then dismissed as being not viable financially.

The Southside area is one of those increasingly being targeted by ambitious developers.

Schemes are already in place for the Unity and Armouries site, which is split between Lower Essex Street and Bromsgrove Street, as well as the triangle of land bounded by Wrentham Street, Kent Street and Gooch Street North.

The £600m regeneration of the city’s Smithfield area has also enhanced the appeal of the area.