Edgbaston offices to be demolished for 207-bed PBSA

Luxury student accommodation provider Study Inn will start work on student accommodation in south Birmingham, after agreeing a land deal with owners Calthorpe Estates.

Permission to demolish an existing office block on the site near Fiveways Tower on Frederick Road, in favour of a five-storey student building, was granted last year following a last-minute U-turn from planners at Birmingham City Council.

The scheme, put forward by Study Inn Investments (Frederick Road) Limited and Calthorpe Estates in October 2024, was set to be turned by the council’s planning committee, who instructed their officers to draft refusal reasons at their meeting in July.

However, changes to the design of the scheme proposed shortly afterwards by the applicant, which included reducing the height of the building by a storey from it’s original design, and adding Georgian-style design cues, “fully addressed” the concerns of planning officers, who subsequently recommended the scheme should go ahead.

Glancy Nicholls Architects provided designs for the scheme, with planning consultancy by Vista Planning.

A spokesperson for Calthorpe Estates said the scheme was a “new chapter” for the site.

Ralph Minott, master-planning and development director at Calthorpe Estates, said the scheme was a “new chapter” for the site.

“This sale represents an exciting step forward for Edgbaston, combining our heritage with modern living.  Purpose-built student accommodation will help meet the rising demand for high-quality housing while carefully preserving the character and integrity of the conservation area,” he said.

“We are delighted to partner with Study Inn, whose reputation for delivering premium student living will ensure this scheme not only enhances the neighbourhood but also strengthens Birmingham’s standing as a leading academic hub.”

Michael Maguire, Director in the Savills Development team in Birmingham, added: “We are pleased to have overseen the sale of 9–10 Frederick Road, which will secure much-needed purpose-built student housing in this part of the city.

“Benefitting from close proximity to Five Ways station and the amenities of Edgbaston Village on the doorstep, the proposed new scheme will replace the existing 1970s office building with a contemporary five-storey development, enhancing the area’s offering for students and contributing to Birmingham’s growth as a leading university city.”

Plans and documents relating to the application can be found on Birmingham City Council’s planning portal, using reference: 2024/06958/PA