Plans in for 50-storey Birmingham resi tower

Developer Cordia Blackswan has lodged plans to build a 50-storey build-to-rent tower in the Southside district of central Birmingham.The landmark 27 Thorp Street tower, located in Chinatown and next to the Birmingham Hippodrome, will offer nearly 490 flats, library, cinema room as well as gym and spa.A restaurant is to be located on level 49, with an observation deck on the top floor.The tower, designed by K4 Architects, will include a diamond-like aluminium lattice exoskeletal frame over the glazing system, which was inspired by the patterns made by Chinese ribbon dance.To be known as Act One, Chung Ying Plaza, the developer hopes to start on-site by summer 2023, with practical completion in late 2027.The developer is also committing to 100 non-Section 106 offsite affordable rent flats within one mile of the site. A further £1.5m will be contributed towards public realm on Thorp Street, Chung Ying Plaza.Developer Cordia Blackswan was created in 2020 through the merger of Birmingham-based bespoke property developer Blackswan and Cordia, a member of the Futureal Group, which has a track record in delivering landmark schemes across Central and Eastern Europe.Southside planned schemesProjection of central southside skyline should planned projects proceedMakers Yard – 30 storeys, 551 flats, under construction, 460m to the southeast on Sherlock StreetKent Street Residences – 19 storeys and 504 dwellings with flexible retail, restaurant, leisure and office use, 230m to the south, under constructionSouth Central Tower – 28 storeys, 154 flats with ground floor commercial/retail on the Essex Street and Bristol Street, 100m to the south, under constructionHolloway Head – 14 storeys and up to 487 flats, 175m to the west, under constructionBeorma quarter – 30 storey and 194 flats, under constructionNew Monaco – 29 storey and 26 storey towers, 1,009 flats, retail/commercial, car parking, 390m to the south, consentedParadise Hotel – 17 storey hotel approximately 630m to the north west, consented