Makers Yard, Birmingham BTR Scheme

In a great start to 2023, we have secured the £7m Mechanical package on Watkin Jones Group’s largest Build to Rent scheme to date in Sherlock Street, Birmingham.

The scheme, known as Maker’s Yard is located on a 2.47-acre brownfield site and will feature a new pedestrianised public square that connects the city centre with the wider Rea Valley Urban Quarter, as well as giving access to the scheme’s 16,500 sq ft of ground floor commercial space that will enable local employment opportunities.

The scheme features six blocks, including a 30-storey tower plus lower buildings ranging from 5 to 13 storeys, will include 551 apartments of one, two and three bedrooms, 47 of which will be affordable.

Architect for the scheme, Sandeep Shambi, Partner, Glenn Howells Architects described the project as creating a community, rather than just another building project.

“Located adjacent to Smithfield and the visionary Rea Valley Urban Quarter, the surrounding area is due to be transformed in the coming years to provide a truly sustainable and desirable neighbourhood.

At the centre of the scheme is a ‘village square’ serving as the community Hub and housing a range of amenities for residents, such as a gymnasium and yoga studio, a range of lounge spaces and flexible workspace. This generous amenity offer is reinforced by a vibrant, high quality landscape design, which is inspired by the rich, industrial heritage of the site.

A series of connected green spaces is offered for the private and communal use of the residents, in the form of courtyards, roof terraces and gardens. Each will offer a place to play, unwind, work and socialise.”

The scheme’s location within 500m of the iconic Bull Ring shopping centre will offer residents easy access to Birmingham’s extensive retail, restaurants and bars, as well as New Street Station.

Along with Conington Road in London, Leeds Technology Campus and Carlton Hill in Leeds, this award means that our specialist teams will have four Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Build to Rent (BTR) projects live on site with a combined value of £20m by Q2 this year – adding to the 15,000 beds that we’ve already delivered in the PBSA and BTR sectors to date.

We are currently working with Crookes Walker Consulting to develop the design to stage 5 and are looking forward to commencing on site in early March, if not before.