Moda Living breaks ground on £300m Jewellery Quarter scheme

Moda Living has broken ground with contractor John Sisk & Son on a new rental neighbourhood in Birmingham, beginning the transformation of a site left undeveloped for more than 70 years.

Redeveloping the Ludgate Hill Car Park, the £302m Great Charles Street scheme will be situated in the city’s famous Jewellery Quarter offering 722 rental homes across three blocks spanning six-39 stories.

Designed in partnership with Ryder Architecture, Great Charles Street will include state-of-the-art amenities including a 24/7 gym fitness centre and concierge, private dining rooms, co-working areas, resident sky lounges, roof terraces and cinema rooms.

Moda says that delivery of the project will add an estimated £92m of gross added value to the West Midlands, creating around 470 jobs.

Moda and Sisk will continue their successful Skills Hub partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which is already helping to maximise local employment and training opportunities across the West Midlands.

The scheme has been backed by the largest deal for a build-to-rent project seen outside of London, with funding from Harrison Street, NFU Mutual and Apache Capital and a £188m development loan from Precede.

Tony Brooks, managing director at Moda said: “Breaking ground on our second development in Birmingham is a huge milestone for us. The city is going through an exciting evolution and we’re proud to be part of its transforming skyline, as well as creating impact for the local jobs and skills market – it’s something we’ve been committed to since 2018 and will continue doing so for many years to come.”

“The journey to starting work on this key central site has been a huge exercise in collaboration with Birmingham City Council, and I’m confident the result will be testament to what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work in true partnership. I look forward to continuing to work with the council, Sisk and our other stakeholders to deliver this new gem of a neighbourhood to the Jewellery Quarter.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It is so exciting to see the bomb site finally being developed after being left untouched since the Second World War. This will remove one of the blots on the city’s landscape, and continue the quite incredible transformation of the city centre.

“It is great too to not only see Moda Living and Sisk partner again after their efforts at The Mercian, but also to see they remain committed to working with us to continue our training programme together to ensure local employment is maximised through this development.

“Best of luck to the team, and I can’t wait to watch this project grow up from the ground.”

Birmingham City Council leader, Ian Ward said: “The breaking of ground at the Ludgate Hill Car Park site opens another exciting chapter in Birmingham’s ongoing transformation, underlining our growing reputation as a place to live, work and invest. This is very much a team effort and we are delighted to be working with Moda Living and Sisk to ensure that the people and businesses of Birmingham benefit from our ongoing success.”

Alan Rodger, managing director, John Sisk & Son, said: “Sisk is delighted to begin works with Moda Living on its Great Charles Street development. Our enduring relationship with Moda Living is founded on our capabilities and relevant experience in the high-rise residential sector across Birmingham and other major cities in the UK. The project will create a landmark entrance to the city centre and provides us with the opportunity to build upon our work with Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and our trusted Supply Chain to create training, jobs, and quality accommodation for the people of the West Midlands.”

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