Plans for two residential towers, rising 30 and 17 storeys, have been approved for a site at the junction of Holliday Street and Bridge Street in Birmingham, close to Gas Street Basin and Centenary Square.
The taller tower will stand above the nearby Alpha Tower, introducing another prominent feature to Birmingham’s evolving skyline.
Designed by TP Bennett, the development will include a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The scheme will also feature ground-floor commercial units and shared amenities, including resident lounges, gyms and dedicated workspaces.
Landscaped public spaces and pedestrian routes will form part of the proposals, creating connections with the wider 1.2m sq ft Arena Central masterplan.
The plans received approval despite objections from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which occupies neighbouring office accommodation at 3 Arena Central.
HMRC raised concerns about privacy and overlooking, particularly in relation to sensitive office areas. Historic England and the Canal & River Trust also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the towers on nearby heritage buildings and the historic canalside environment.
However, Birmingham City Council’s planning officers concluded that the benefits of providing more than 500 new homes and completing the regeneration of the site outweighed the potential negative impacts.
Arena Central has already delivered several major commercial developments, including the UK headquarters of HSBC. The wider regeneration programme has transformed the former Central Television studios and Birmingham Register Office site.