RPS joins forces once again with Moda Living to create landmark Birmingham residential development

The Great Charles Street car park site, undeveloped for over 50 years, will now be transformed into a vibrant urban village in an exciting opportunity that will bridge the Jewellery Quarter with the city centre.

The new development will see us act as project manager for developer operator Moda Living, working with contractor John Sisk & Son. Once developed, the site will contribute to Birmingham City Council’s ‘Big City Plan’ to deliver 5,000 new homes, whilst valuing the city’s heritage and cultural assets.

We worked closely with multiple stakeholders to develop a cost-effective and viable design and procurement strategy for the project the first phase of which is due to complete in 2025. We're also supporting Moda in delivering its environmental, social governance (ESG) strategy against set targets, with the project aiming to achieve high EPC ratings for energy efficiency and environmental impact, and a targeted Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of Excellent.

All apartments will be designed and built to have low running costs, targeting a minimum 4-star Home Quality Mark (HGM) rating, which is an independently assessed certification scheme for new homes. And as part of Moda’s drive to improve residents’ health and wellbeing, a top-level score of three stars for its Fitwel accreditation, the world’s leading healthy building certification system, will be targeted.

Ben Stockdale, Associate Director at RPS, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working with Moda Living on this fantastic scheme in Birmingham. I’ve been involved in this project for a number of years, so I’m really excited to see work starting. It’s great that this key strategic site is being developed after so many decades left unused.

“It’s a significant Build-to-Rent scheme in the city centre and builds on the success of our partnership with Moda Living on Moda, The Mercian, Birmingham’s tallest residential tower at 42-storeys high, which opened last year.”

As well as best-in-class new apartments the Great Charles Street neighbourhood will boast a 24/7 gym, roof terraces, communal lounges, co-working spaces, and ground floor boutique retail and café-bars open to the public along with new landscaped areas and public realm.

Tony Brooks, Managing Director at Moda said: “Breaking ground on our second development in Birmingham is a huge milestone for us. The city is going through an exciting evolution and we’re proud to be part of its transforming skyline, as well as creating impact for the local jobs and skills market – it’s something we’ve been committed to since 2018 and will continue doing so for many years to come.” 

“I look forward to continuing to work with the council, RPS, Sisk and our other stakeholders to deliver this new gem of a neighbourhood to the Jewellery Quarter.”   

For more information about Great Charles Street or to speak to the Project Management team, click here.