Birmingham City Council approves plans for 33-storey Build-to-Rent development

Howells acting on behalf of Urban Vision has secured planning consent for The Hundred, a new landmark 33-storey Build-to-Rent development on Broad Street, Birmingham.

Working on behalf of Urban Vision, a specialist real estate investor and developer, the plans will deliver 294 homes on a city centre brownfield site. Birmingham City Council’s planning committee approved the project on Thursday (1 February), following recommendation by its planning officers.

The Hundred will be one of the most sustainable developments in Birmingham, designed to be a ‘smart’ building that is both all-electric and uses innovative technology to help drive efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint and occupational costs of its users.

The plans also include a wide range of communal amenities, such as co-working spaces and communal lounges, rooftop gardens, as well as opportunities for independent shops, cafés, or restaurants at street level. The site at 100 Broad Street has been identified as a key development opportunity in Birmingham and has benefitted from a historic planning consent.

A 61-storey residential building was approved in 2019, but this was found to be undeliverable so never progressed. Instead, Howells and Urban Vision’s plans propose a deliverable, efficiently designed building, that is highly sustainable, future-proofed for changing occupational needs, and of an architectural style and materiality that will give the building longevity.

The Hundred uses a unique asymmetrical shape to add value to the city’s skyline while providing most apartments with dual-aspect views across the city. It takes inspiration from Birmingham’s concrete heritage and iconic urban landscape. The development is expected to create more than 50+ new jobs once operational, as well as many more during construction.

Mark Owen, Director at Urban Vision, said: “The Hundred” is a fantastic opportunity to deliver one of Birmingham’s most sustainable buildings, which adds real value to the city and its skyline.

"We want to deliver a development that will set the standard for tall buildings in Birmingham, but also draw on the city’s heritage. “As an underutilised brownfield site, this is an opportunity to support the wider regeneration of the area – driving local growth, creating a new community and creating jobs. It is important we get this right and deliver.

“Our proposals are deliverable, and we now have planning consent and so construction can begin as soon as practically possible. Working with Howells, the wider team which includes RPS, Core5, Cundall, Ramboll, and Williams Gallagher, we’re looking forward to delivering The Hundred.”

Howells Director, Robert King comments: “This project has challenged us to look again and question the blueprint for efficient tall building designs. The stepped form has created an opportunity to explore a unique, sustainable approach to high-rise living and integrates new regulations and construction techniques.

“The Hundred pays reference to Birmingham’s architectural modernist past while looking to the future to create a building that is more Birmingham, less anywhere. We’re excited that the plans have been approved and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with Urban Vision and the rest of the design team to realise the scheme to provide sustainable, build-to-rent homes for the current and future residents of Birmingham.”

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