Many will know Birmingham’s Broad Street as the hub of the city’s nightlife scene, offering everything from beloved clubs to nearby canal-side bars.
However, there’s another thing it may soon become known for and that’s for having some of the most enormous skyscrapers in the city centre.
The ‘golden mile’ is already home to apartment buildings such as The Mercian – and other proposed towers have recently been given the green light to be constructed.
However, one Birmingham councillor recently said he was concerned about the possibility of having a “long stretch of tower blocks” along Broad Street.
“While there’s clearly a need to build tall to meet our housing needs, we do need to make sure they are spread across the city centre,” Cllr Gareth Moore told a recent planning committee meeting.
Cllr Jane Jones meanwhile admitted she was getting a “bit overwhelmed by the amount of incredibly tall buildings in the city.”
Amid such concerns, here’s a look at the skyscrapers set to transform – and already changing – one of Birmingham’s most iconic areas.
1. 90-97 Broad Street
Plans for an enormous 47-storey skyscraper in Broad Street were approved this week despite concerns being raised over the number of affordable homes. The development is set to boast 525 homes as well as a lobby area, residents lounge, gym, well-being space and event space. At Thursday’s planning committee meeting, councillors praised the design of the development but one of the concerns raised was the percentage of affordable homes included within the scheme, which was four per cent of the total apartments. A council’s officer report said the scheme had been through a “thorough and independent assessment” before the four per cent provision was recommended and added it would provide economic, social and environmental benefits to the city. The report continued that the development would have a “neutral impact” on a number of conservation areas. Mark Holbeche, CEO of Regal Property Group Living (RPGL), the developer behind plans, said: “The development, when complete, will be the safest, most technologically advanced and sustainable residential project in its class.”
2. 100 Broad Street
Plans for another tower in Broad Street, this one at 33-storeys, were approved last month. The development, at 100 Broad Street, is set to include 294 homes and communal amenities such as co-working spaces, a cycle hub, meeting rooms and rooftop gardens. After being approved by the planning committee, Mark Owen, director at developer Urban Vision, said the project was a “fantastic opportunity to deliver one of Birmingham’s most sustainable buildings”. He said: “We want to deliver a development that will set the standard for tall buildings in Birmingham but also draw on the city’s heritage.”
3. The Mercian
The Mercian is one of Birmingham’s tallest buildings and boasts hundreds of apartments in the heart of the city centre. Back in 2022, Moda Living said the huge tower was “inspired by skyscrapers in Chicago”. A managing director said at the time: “The Mercian has transformed the Birmingham skyline and is only the start of what Moda and Sisk will bring to the city.” Ian Ward, then leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “The Mercian is an impressive addition to our city centre offer – in many ways this development is changing the way that people live in central Birmingham.”
4. Cortland, Broad Street
Plans which included a tall 35-storey residential tower fronting Broad Street were previously approved by Birmingham City Council before construction got under way. The Cortland website describes the development as a “relaxing haven in the heart of the city.” It adds: “Located within minutes of Arena Central, the canalside playground of Brindleyplace and all the best that city living has to offer. “Direct access to the Westside Metro, right on your doorstep, makes travel to the wider city and beyond, a breeze.”