Pan-European real estate investment manager MARK and Residential developer HUB and have received planning approval from Birmingham City Council for a residential-led development at 2 Snowhill Plaza in central Birmingham.

The scheme will deliver 462 high quality homes, with 10% affordable and a generous provision of 10% three-bedroom family homes.

Designed by multidisciplinary architecture and urban design practice Metropolitan Workshop, the proposal for 2 Snowhill Plaza will replace a vacant commercial property with a world class residential scheme that maintains the distinct local character of Snow Hill and brings new homes to the area.

The 48-storey building will be a new addition to the emerging cluster of taller developments in Birmingham city centre. The scheme will deliver enhanced public realm and the public access way between Snow Hill Queensway and Weaman Street will improve pedestrian connectivity, supporting sustainable, walkable neighbourhoods in a key regeneration area of Birmingham.  It will further strengthen the relationship with the neighbourhood by improving biodiversity and accessibility for all. Over 600 sqm of enhanced public open space will be provided, alongside extensive planting, seating and cycle storage.

Located in the centre of Birmingham, close to the Snow Hill railway station, Colmore Row, Jewellery and Knowledge Quarters, the development has excellent transport links and is within walking distance to the area’s cafés, restaurants, shops and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The scheme was developed in close collaboration with the local community and key neighbourhood stakeholders. It involved a series of on-street interviews, consultation events and outreach to the local business district.

2 Snowhill Plaza will be delivered in line with Birmingham’s Future City Plan, which sets a strategic vision for the City Heart to create a fair, inclusive and green place that benefits local communities into the future.

The scheme represents MARK’s first project in the UK build-to-rent market and strengthens its residential portfolio there, which includes the 462 home build-to-sell and affordable housing scheme in Kensington in partnership with SevenCapital and the redevelopment of The Whiteley – a £1bn mixed-use development comprising shops, retail concepts, lifestyle brands, restaurants and cafes, as well as 139 branded residences.

MARK has €10bn of assets under management across a range of asset classes in the UK and Europe, including last-mile logistics, office, retail and residential.

Brad Burridge, Senior Development Manager at HUB, said:

“Securing planning permission for this scheme – HUB’s second in Birmingham – means we are a step closer to delivering much-needed high quality homes in the city centre. 2 Snowhill Plaza will be a striking landmark building for Birmingham, with a new public route that will open up this part of the city centre for pedestrians. Our vision for the project is to offer exemplary living in one of Birmingham’s bustling commercial districts, ensuring convenient access to the abundant offerings of this thriving city.”

Lily Lin, UK & Ireland managing director at MARK, said:

“Planning approval for 2 Snowhill Plaza reflects the high quality of the scheme’s design, which will provide much-needed rental housing. This project – our first UK build-to-rent investment – will be a strong addition to our portfolio of residential-led developments in the UK, through which we are delivering hundreds of homes across a range of price points and tenures in a mix of geographies. HUB has a proven track record of delivery and we look forward to working with them in progressing the site from construction through to completion.”

Neil Deely, Co-Founder & Partner at Metropolitan Workshop, said:

“This is our first project in Birmingham, and we were really inspired by the city’s challenge to ‘Be Bold, Be Birmingham’. Our approach recalls and celebrates the city’s proud post war architectural traditions, delivers new connectivity for pedestrians on Snowhill and uniquely provides residential amenity on 5 levels.”