Kier plans 526 homes to complete Arena Central

Plans for 526 build-to-rent homes in two towers would complete the Arena Central development in the heart of Birmingham city centre.

Kier Property, the development arm of the construction group Kier, has submitted plans to Birmingham City Council for the final two plots of the Arena Central masterplan, behind 5 Centenary Square and next to Gas Street Basin.

The plans

The scheme includes two towers, one of 17 storeys and one of 30 storeys, with a mix of studios and one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It includes spaces designed to prioritise pedestrians and encourage people to meet and spend time outdoors.

Alexandra Conway, managing director for residential private sector at Kier Property, said: "Arena Central represents one of Birmingham's most significant regeneration stories and this scheme offers a rare opportunity to complete the masterplan with a forward-looking residential proposition."

About Arena Central

Arena Central sits between Broad Street, Centenary Square and the canal network, on land that was once home to the headquarters of ATV and later Central Television. Over the past decade it has become home to large office buildings, including one of the UK's biggest HM Revenue and Customs hubs, as well as hotels.

What build-to-rent means

Build-to-rent homes are built specifically to be rented out, usually by a single landlord that manages the whole building. They often include shared facilities such as gyms, lounges and roof terraces, and offer longer tenancies than many private landlords. Birmingham has become one of the biggest build-to-rent markets outside London.

What happens next

The application will be considered by the council's planning officers and committee. Residents and businesses can view the plans and comment on them through the council's planning website.

A changing skyline

If approved, the 30-storey tower would add to the cluster of tall buildings around Broad Street and the western side of the city centre.