Developer plans Birmingham’s tallest resi tower

Developer Nikal has unveiled proposals for what would be the tallest residential tower in Birmingham.

The 46-storey skyscraper would form part of phase two of the Exchange Square development in the city centre, the final phase of Nikal’s £350m Masshouse project.

Sir Robert McAlpine is currently working on phase one, with the first of three buildings under construction.

Nikal already has planning consent for 223 apartments on phase two, and plans to increase this to around 565 units in an expanded development, including the tower.

A month ago, rival developer Modal submitted plans for a 42-storey residential building in Birmingham.

Nikal said it is currently working on the proposals for the apartment tower which could include outdoor terrace and amenity areas, retail space on the lower ground and ground floor levels, and a 46th floor residents’ sky lounge with garden area.

The development is directly opposite the site of Birmingham Curzon HS2 station.

Nikal said it will be finalising its planning application “over the next few months”. 

Managing director Nick Payne said: “Our thinking around the revised proposals for phase two of Exchange Square are inspired by a desire to produce a truly landmark building that will announce to those travelling by HS2 that they have arrived in ‘Britain’s Second City’.

“With our site lying adjacent to Birmingham Curzon HS2, it’s the perfect opportunity to respond with a dramatic and architecturally stunning structure that will eclipse the tall buildings that are already being produced in other major cities, such as Manchester. 

“We also want to produce a scheme that will complement the three residential towers under construction as part of the new urban village at phase one Exchange Square, the tallest of which is 27 storeys. The Birmingham skyline is undergoing an exciting transformation and we feel its ready to accommodate statement structures that flagpost this progress.”