CASE STUDY 31 1.2 million ft2 mixed-use commercial
scheme, which accommodates over 10,000 workers within grade A offices, restaurants, cafes, bars and retail space around three public squares.
Ground has now been broken on the site, with an official ceremony undertaken to celebrate the site’s past.
HOTEL LIVING
Across its 483 apartments, The Mercian will offer a range of sizes, from studios to three- beds. These will be offered with both flexible and long-term tenancies, in order to broaden the range of potential renters, and provide stability to those such as families. A 60,000 ft2
podium with over 30,000 ft2
of dedicated communal space is planned as part of the tower, including a residents’ lounge, dedicated health and wellness zones, co-working space, indoor/outdoor dining club featuring a demonstration kitchen, as well as a range of ground floor commercial spaces. Among the various ‘hotel-style’ amenities
on offer will be a 24-hour concierge, which will collect delivered parcels, help book cleaning and ironing, and ensure residents are safe and secure. Continuing this theme, but with a technology-led approach to a more person- alised feel, smart lifts will register when residents enter the building, and will be ready and waiting at ground level. Residents will also have access to “round- the-clock maintenance” through a ‘MyModa’ app, which will act as a key and allow users to control smart thermostats, report problems by taking a picture, and welcome guests through a virtual ’Skype- style’ door buzzer. Putting a focus on health and wellbeing, a
200m podium running track is to be installed in the development, reportedly one of the first in UK housing. Moda will also be working with hero, a digital wellness platform which will help track and improve the health and fitness of residents. Tenants will also have access to advice from Premier League football nutritionists and wellbeing coaches, and staff on site will be provided with “mental health first aid training.” In order to fulfil these quality of life
aspects, Moda Living and Apache Capital will retain ownership of the property and operate the site, which they believe will ensure the creation of a “long-term commu- nity and investment platform.” Moda hope that such amenities at the scheme will appeal to Birmingham’s “growing army of professionals,” while the longer-term tenancies of three to five years offered “will give families peace of mind.”
A ‘REVOLUTION’ Located within five minutes’ walk of Centenary Square, home of the International Convention Centre,
Symphony Hall and National Indoor Arena, and with Paradise Circus and Arena Central both in close vicinity, residents will gain from a host of benefits related to inner-city living when the project is completed. The site also benefits from Birmingham’s tram network extension along Broad Street, and the nearby road being fully pedestrianised. Tony Brooks, managing director at Moda
Living, discussed the city’s impact on the project, and vice-versa: “Birmingham is a key city for Moda – as the UK’s fastest growing regional city and the number one city to relocate to from London. Our aim is to provide high quality housing to match the city’s ambition and growth. “Not only will this be a landmark build-
ing, it will also help raise the bar for rental in the city, offering unrivalled amenities and putting residents in control – offering flexible and long-term contracts. With a keen focus on health and wellbeing, the building includes a running track, landscaped terraces and shared spaces.” Brooks concluded: “As a long-term
partner to the city, it’s our responsibility to create social, healthy and connected communities.” With a focus on family-friendly tenancies
and user-friendly convenience and ameni- ties, Moda hopes to encourage renters to treat the whole building as their home, not just the apartment. As part of this, the developer wants to “revolutionise the way people rent,” providing “a sense of ‘society’” which it believes can change renting from what some may see purely as a necessity, into a lifestyle choice. When complete, the developer hopes
The Mercian will become a local landmark that “knits itself into the fabric of the city as a destination the local population can be proud of.” If the development continues on its current track, all the signs are that it will succeed in this aim.
AMONG THE VARIOUS ‘HOTEL-STYLE’ AMENITIES ON OFFER WILL BE A 24- HOUR CONCIERGE
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
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