Grade A office plans to be revealed, despite 380-bed PBSA approval
Maple House currently
Linden Hill is preparing to submit a new planning application to redevelop a Birmingham flexible office into a Grade A office building.
Last week, the developer secured planning consent to extend and retrofit the existing five-storey Maple House into a ten-storey building. The approved PBSA plans include 207 ensuite studios and 176 shared clusters accommodating six, seven, and ten beds.
Additional features would include study areas, lounges, a games room, a gym, and an eating area, while the ground floor would retain the existing Tesco store. The proposal designed by ECE Westworks is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.
Currently used as flexible office space, Maple House occupies the site of the former Grand Theatre, which was demolished in 1963.
Despite securing approval for the PBSA, Linden Hill is considering an alternative plan to redevelop the site into a Grade A office scheme. This new approach would involve transforming the building floor by floor to accommodate the needs of existing tenants.
Peter Brenton, investment director at Linden Hill Capital Management told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We are pleased to have secured planning consent for our 383-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Birmingham, which represents a robust and commercially viable opportunity. The planning approval comes with significant advantages, including no Section 106 obligations, no Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and no commercially challenging planning conditions, making the site highly attractive for development.
“While we may or may not implement the current planning consent, we are also exploring alternative uses for the site. In line with this, we plan to submit an additional application for a Grade A office scheme. We believe an office development could be delivered on a floor-by-floor basis to accommodate existing tenants, offering flexibility and meeting the evolving needs of Birmingham’s dynamic commercial market.
“We are excited to move forward with either of these opportunities and continue to enhance the city’s real estate landscape.”
As the site is located within the Steelhouse Conservation Area, the PBSA proposal has been developed further by architect ECE Westworks, and heritage and townscape advisor Node and includes consideration by the Conservation Heritage Panel.
