Green light for final phase at Birmingham’s Arena Central

Planning permission has been granted for the final phase of development at Birmingham’s Arena Central, with two residential towers set to deliver more than 500 Build-to-Rent homes in the city centre.

The approved scheme, located on plots four and five at Bridge Street, will comprise a 30-storey tower and a neighbouring 17-storey building, providing around 526 apartments across a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

Designed by tp bennett, the development marks the last major plots to come forward within the wider Arena Central masterplan, which has transformed the area south of Centenary Square into a mixed-use district.

In addition to residential accommodation, the scheme includes ground floor retail and commercial space within the smaller tower, alongside a range of shared amenities for residents. These will include lounges, workspace, dining areas, gym facilities and cinema rooms, as well as internal and external amenity space.

The proposals also incorporate public realm improvements, landscaping, cycle storage and servicing infrastructure, forming part of the final stage of the masterplan’s delivery.

Arena Central spans 10 plots and has already seen the completion of several major commercial buildings, including 1 Centenary Square, now occupied as the UK headquarters for HSBC’s retail banking division.

The newly approved towers are expected to become a prominent addition to the skyline, with the 30-storey building set to be the tallest within the masterplan area.

With planning now secured, the project represents the culmination of the long-running regeneration of Arena Central, bringing forward a significant volume of new homes alongside supporting commercial and public realm uses in central Birmingham.