Development and construction company Watkin Jones has unveiled its £50m proposals to transform Birmingham’s former Central Fire Station and West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters into a 30-storey student accommodation block.
The gateway project – set to be one of the city’s tallest buildings – will provide a new commercial hub to the Eastside Learning Quarter and create more than 100 jobs.
Watkins Jones submitted a planning application for the site last Thursday. Plans include converting the Grade II-listed buildings at Lancaster Circus into 826 student rooms alongside 17,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and business space.
Jason Berry, development director at Watkins Jones, said: “The completed project will inject £2.8m in rates income over the next 25 years, which will be retained by Birmingham city council for ongoing investment in the city as part of the proposed Enterprise Zone.”
The scheme has been designed by fledgling Birmingham architect K4.
Funding for the project is already committed. Subject to consent, work is scheduled to start on site later this year, with completion due in 2013.
lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com
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