Contract assigned for residential scheme

West Midlands-based construction company mac-group has been appointed to build a new, £7.5m residential development in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

The Photographic Works, on Camden Street, will be built on the site of a former photo processing building, which Solihull-based mac-group has also been contracted to demolish.

In its place will be a four-storey development, designed by Jewellery Quarter-based BPN Architects on behalf of property development company Hatchbury.

The scheme will comprise 43 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and five two-storey duplex apartments/townhouses. There are external terrace gardens to the rear of the development over a steel transfer structure, under which is car parking for 27 vehicles and ancillary storage facilities.

The site was occupied for more than 40 years by Munn’s Brothers Photographic Processing Works, which developed films for companies such as Boots, and the architects have taken inspiration from the site’s history to create a striking design both externally and internally.

Ray O’Sullivan, director of the mac-group, said Photographic Works promises to transform the area. “This is a much-needed residential scheme in an historic area of Birmingham and we’re pleased to have been appointed to deliver it for Hatchbury.

“We’ll be working closely with the developer to build a high-quality development that reflects the area’s history and sits neatly in its surroundings. We’re looking forward to bringing it to life.”

Patrick Kennedy, director of Hatchbury Ltd, said: “Hatchbury are incredibly excited about our latest residential development and our first one in the city of Birmingham. Ever since the get go, we have been intrigued about the history of the site and were very keen to incorporate this into the design, both externally and within the individual apartments. This, we believe, has been achieved through the excellent work of BPN Architects led by Richard Newman and Jenny Harrison, as well as Martin Rowe of PMP Consultants."

Work is expected to begin on site next month with an anticipated completion in Q3 2022.

PMP Consultants has been appointed as project manager and quantity surveyor, while Couch Consulting will undertake the structural engineering. Halligan Consulting Engineers will complete the mechanical and engineering aspects of the build.