Kuli Bajwa
Associate Director - Project, Cost & Building Consultancy
The Mercian
Towering at 42-storeys high, The Mercian will stand as the tallest residential tower in Birmingham. This exciting new-build development will provide 481 luxury apartments for professionals living and working in the city centre, well-connected to the wider city through the expansion of the tram network. Boasting high-quality leisure space, creating a modern community lies at the heart of this prestigious project; the Mercian residents will benefit from a gym, health centre, dining club, residents’ lounge and a 200m rooftop running track on the third floor terrace, one of the first in the UK’s housing market.
Key details
Project name
The Mercian
Client
Moda Living
Location
Birmingham
Services provided
- Project Management
- Employer’s Agent
Challenge
Operating as Project Managers on this complex city-centre project amidst Brexit uncertainty presented us with multiple challenges. We had to settle with the limited site access a city-centre development demands, accounting for surrounding developments such as the new metro extension. Part of this entailed managing and engaging multiple stakeholders, including responding to a pivotal change in contractor.
Our role required assisting our client during early stages to overcome Planning hurdles, imposing a significant challenge when at this point in the contract The Mercian was set to be the tallest building in Birmingham.
Solution
Acting pragmatically, we responded to these problems with clear communication to our client and stakeholders, employing our excellent understanding of the unique planning, design, cost, procurement and construction challenges of tall residential buildings.
- Following the liquidation of our previous PCSA contractor, we successfully formalised a bespoke procurement strategy for Moda.
- When undertaking a controlled change management process, we ensured absolute delivery by maintaining a modern and adaptable approach, responding to Moda’s evolving brand and incorporating these changes into the design.
- In reaction to Brexit complications, we achieved quality, programme and cost certainty for our client by negotiating hedging agreements with European suppliers.
Project statistics
42
Storey tower
481
Luxury apartments
35,000ft2
Retail, leisure and office space
30,000ft2
Amenity space
200m
Rooftop running track
-
Evolving expectations for city living - The Mercian
Read articleBirmingham's tallest residential tower, The Mercian, exemplifies a modern approach to city living and sets the tone for evolving resident expectations.
Get in touch
Location:
Rest of the world
Rest of the world
Get in touch
Your contact information:
All fields are mandatory *