Work under way at The School Yard scheme

ENABLING works have started on EDG Property’s £5.5m The School Yard scheme in the Birmingham suburb of Harborne.

The plans for the scheme include restoring the original building and converting it into restaurant units and a cookery school.

Birmingham-based K4 Architects is leading the design team on the mixed use scheme, alongside M&E engineers Jonathan Richards Associates, structural engineers Curtins and acousticians JRA Acoustics. Eversheds and Presence Marketing are also providing specialist advice, while the shortlisting process for the main contractor is under way.

The building, which is prominently located on Harborne High Street, was built in 1891. it first housed the local school before taking on a number of different uses, most recently as an adult learning and community centre.

Neil Edginton, managing director of EDG Property, said: “We know how important our high streets are, playing a vital role in supporting the local economy and as part of the community.

“This is a really special and important project for us and for Harborne and the surrounding areas – we must get it right.

“Announcing our professional team and starting enabling works are major milestones for the project and announcing our dream team is a great way to end the year.

“It sets us up to hit the ground running with construction early in the new year and, when we confirm our main contractor, we can press ahead with work onsite and hit our target to start tenant fit-out towards the end of the summer.”  

The designs incorporate many of the historical Victorian features of the Grade II listed building while adding a new contemporary building at the rear of the old school playground where the residential element will be located. The old and new will wrap around a central courtyard and public square.

Italian eatery Prezzo and local restaurateur Chris Kelly’s Metro Continental will be opening at The School Yard within the next 12 months. Kitchen School, a community cookery school, has also been secured.

Phase two of The School Yard will include the residential element of the scheme. It is anticipated that it will comprise a small number of high specification, new build apartments.