A Savills first for slim high pads
Birmingham’s first ‘super slender’ tower and the UK’s first habitable ‘super slender’ structure – measuring just 9.5m wide – was granted planning permission by unanimous decision at Birmingham City Council’s planning committee earlier this month.
The Savills Birmingham-based planning team acted on behalf of Taylor Grange Developments for the 37-storey development on Broad Street in the city.
The 116.5m tall super slender tower will provide 264 serviced apartments and will also offer space for a restaurant, bar, and gym.
Paul Rouse, director and head of planning at Savills in Birmingham, comments: “This was a very complex planning application due to the compact nature of the site with 100% site coverage, and its proximity to other existing and planned buildings. The proposed building is within the setting of a number of listed buildings and two conservation areas. We had to address complex sunlight and overshadowing issues, wind micro climate impacts, solar glare impacts on metro and road vehicle drivers, and aerodrome safeguarding issues associated with flight path and radar of Birmingham Airport, amongst other more common planning issues.
“The scheme will provide high quality accommodation, further enhancing the attractiveness of Birmingham as a prime location to visit and work. The super slender tower will contribute to a cluster of well-designed tall buildings that will enhance the Westside quarter of the city centre and raise the quality of this section of Broad Street. It will redevelop an underused, highly accessible city centre site with a high density mixed use development, generating business rates and additional revenue for the area.”
The site is currently occupied by the vacant Transport House, the former home of the TGWU trade union, and also 117-118 Tennant Street at the rear – both of which are to be demolished as part of the scheme.
A stop on the new Westside extension of the West Midlands Metro will be a short walk away when it completes in 2021.
Birmingham-based Glancy Nicholls Architects has designed the scheme.
