Birmingham skyline revolution: vibrant and dynamic destination with five new tower blocks with flats and hotel

Permission is being sought to build a mixed-use development, consisting of apartments, student accommodation and a hotel, on the site of the former Axis Building on Holliday Street.

If the proposals are given the green light by the council’s planning committee next week, there would be five buildings in total – including a 49-storey residential tower.

Those behind the project have previously said the development could become a “beautiful gateway” in the heart of Birmingham and create a “vibrant, lively atmosphere” on the site, which is now a cleared plot of land.

Buildings one and two would be residential towers, 49 and 39 storeys, and comprise 868 residential units across them both.

The student residential tower is proposed to be 29 storeys and provide 720 bedspaces as well as a food hall at lower levels.

The fourth building would be used as a hotel with 229 serviced apartments while the fifth, a residential building, would deliver 122 apartments across ten storeys.

These buildings would be sat around a public square, which a council report said would be a “significant public realm improvement”.

On the vision behind the project, a planning document said: “The proposed development will be a dynamic new destination in the city centre, enhancing the urban experience for both residents and visitors.

“By fostering interaction and engagement, the development promises to enrich the community’s social fabric.”

The council report also said the proposed development would make a meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing provision as well as regeneration aspirations.

“It would create a distinctive place and deliver a contribution towards affordable housing,” the report continued.

“The scheme would also provide economic, social and environmental benefits.”

However, it did acknowledge that ‘significant adverse visual effects’ could possibly be experienced from Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square.

But the report added: “The Heritage Assessment (HA) highlights that in views from these areas, the proposed development would be viewed in combination with an existing backdrop of modern and tall development, which already influences the setting of the conservation areas.

“Overall, it is concluded in the HA that the proposed development, whilst visible in some views, would maintain the significance of the conservation areas.”

It also concluded that with mitigation and proposed conditions, ‘significant adverse environmental effects’ do not warrant refusal.

The proposed development was therefore recommended for approval, subject to a legal agreement, and will be considered next Thursday, April 10.