The West Midlands Combined Authority has backed plans by developer MP Devco to transform a historic Birmingham building into a hotel offering 136 apartments.
The Victorian-built Murdoch Chambers & Pitman Building in Corporation Street was built by J Crouch and E Butler in the late 1800s as a vegetarian restaurant and hotel but now stands empty, with only two fast food outlets on the ground floor.
The local authority is planning to make an investment as part of its brownfield regeneration programme to kick-start the scheme after negotiations with the developers are finalised.
Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “This scheme will breathe new life into a historic city centre building, helping to safeguard an important part of our local heritage.”
Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing & land and leader of Walsall Council, added: “The plans for the Murdoch Chambers & Pitman Building show that with the right investment it is possible to reinvent our historic buildings in a way that remains true to their heritage but also meets the needs of the 21st century.”
To send feedback, e-mail evelina.grecenko@eg.co.uk or tweet @Gre_Eve
Click here to see planning applications in Birmingham
