Pictured above: The vibrant living area in one of the
St Paul's Place apartments
Chord (St Paul's Square) Ltd has launched its St Paul's Place
development, signalling the resurrection of Birmingham's city
centre residential property market.
The 148 apartment scheme, on St Paul's Square, is the largest
residential development to be launched in the city for more than a
year.
Marketing commences in January 2010, when the £35million
building opens to the public for the first time.
St Paul's Place, on St Paul's Square, includes a range of
studio, one and two bed apartments, plus three penthouses, set
around two internal courtyards.
Chord has spent more than three years developing the scheme,
which includes the restoration of the façade of the Thomas
Walker building, the former buckle maker manufacturer, which fronts
onto St Paul's Square, Birmingham's only Georgian square.
Chord has created two courtyards and added three new wings to
the ex-factory, on Northwood Street, Caroline Street and James
Street. The new build extensions have been built in red brick, to
reflect the original building.
At the heart of the development is a communal courtyard,
designed by award-winning landscape artist Alan Gardner. A
footbridge across this outdoor oasis connects the lobby area with
the residents' underground car park, which has spaces for 145
cars.
In addition to the courtyard, the development boasts an
impressive communal lobby where visitors will be greeted by a
24-hour concierge. The entrance is styled along the lines of a
boutique hotel and provides lift access to all five floors of the
development.
The apartment fit-out is contemporary, with Porcelanosa-designed
fitted bathrooms and modular kitchens by Mereway, each with
integral fridge/freezers, washing machines and dishwashers.
Flooring includes a choice of carpet and wood laminate.
Chord is a Jewellery Quarter-based property company.
Geoff Shuttleworth, a director at the company, said: "This
development has been three years in the making and we are delighted
to be bringing it to the market.
"Our aim has been to deliver the best specified residential
development in the city, equivalent to a five star hotel.
"To this end, we have sourced unique products from around the
world: doors from Italy; marble cladding from Turkey; bathrooms and
ceramics from Spain. Our research and resourcing policy has been
painstaking and is reflected in the end product."
The apartments, which on average are larger than the majority of
city centre apartments, range in size from 340 sq ft for an
open-plan 'crash pad' to 1,350 sq ft and are priced from
£129,500 to £675,000 for a penthouse. St Paul's will be
ready for occupation from this month (February 2010).
The development will be showcased to the public during a series
of open weekends during February. Private appointments can also be
arranged through sole agents Savills (tel: 0121 643
8484).
Lisa Hunt, head of the residential sales team at the Birmingham
office of Savills, said the internal specification of the
apartments, the remedial work undertaken to the existing building,
and the attention paid to the exterior and common areas, singled it
out from other city centre developments.
She said: "The launch of St Paul's Place will be the residential
highlight of the year. It is undoubtedly the best apartment
development in the city centre, delivering urban, modern living in
a building deeply rooted in the city's history. It is undoubtedly
the most prestigious address in the Jewellery Quarter, if not the
city.
"The appeal of this part of Birmingham - with its eclectic range
of restaurants, bars and other leisure and cultural attractions
adds to its appeal," she added.