£14m transformation of offices into homes completed

A £14m build-to-rent conversion of offices into 63 apartments in Birmingham has reached practical completion.

The transformation of a Sutton Coldfield office block by developer Urban Village Capital includes 12 penthouses in a two-storey roof extension, with views over nearby Sutton Park. The development includes an office suite and a restaurant.

Birmingham-based Urban Village Capital is an investment and development business with a multi-million pound portfolio of developments across the UK. It is led by chief executive Nick Sellman and executive director Kevin Sharkey.

He said: “We are excited to announce that we have reached practical completion of Knight’s House, our £14 million build-to-rent development in the heart of Sutton Coldfield.

“Knight’s House is a fantastic, high quality development which is bringing new life to a tired old building. It’s hugely satisfying to see what was a vacant and dilapidated office block transformed into dozens of exciting new homes.”

He added: “The apartments offer excellent quality in a location which is just a two-minute walk to Sutton Coldfield train station and bus stops. Commuters can be in Birmingham city centre in around 20 minutes on the cross-city railway line.”

The original building had seven floors. It has been extended with the addition of two storeys on the roof to accommodate penthouse apartments.

Also in Sutton Coldfield, Urban Village Capital is delivering a £3.2 million development will see a former art school converted into 12 luxury apartments. The company has joined forces in a joint venture to transform The Old Art School, on Lichfield Road, into a high specification development of one and two-bedroom homes. Character features of the Grade II listed building, next to Bishop Vesey Grammar School and BMet College, will be retained.

Elsewhere, construction of an £11m student accommodation development in Ringway House Coventry, is also underway.