Birmingham homeless shelter snapped up for residential scheme
A former Salvation Army hostel will be turned into rental accommodation, after MCR Property Group acquired the site for an undisclosed sum.
The William Booth Centre and adjoining Sanctuary building on Shadwell Street were last used as a shelter for people experiencing homelessness, but the charity called time on its operations in November 2024 after Birmingham City Council puled its funding for the scheme.
Proposals put forward by MCR will see 46,000 sq ft of accommodation refurbished to create a mix of rental accommodation, subject to planning approval.
The final design and delivery programme for the Gun Quarter building will be developed as the proposals progress, the company says.
MCR’s director of commercial and the Midlands, Martin Brown, said the proposals reflect the firm’s approach to identifying buildings with “unrealised potential” and investing in their refurbishment and long term use.
“Birmingham needs more homes, and bringing existing buildings back into use has an important part to play in meeting that demand. The William Booth Centre has been out of use for some time. We see an opportunity to change that and give it a productive future,” he said.
“This is a substantial building close to the city centre, with the potential to provide much needed accommodation for people who want to live and work in Birmingham. Our focus is on making that potential a reality through considered refurbishment and homes that work for the people living in them.
“The commercial opportunity and the benefit to the city are closely aligned. Investing in an underused property can create a viable residential asset, support the surrounding neighbourhood and add to the supply of rental homes.”
