Residents of Hive now have their own private urban oasis, following the opening of the development's Secret Garden.

Created by Landscape Architects, the Secret Garden takes full advantage of Hive's unique central location and elevated views across Eastside, including the new Eastside City Park, currently under development by Birmingham City Council.

Reserved for the use of Hive residents, the Secret Garden is divided into a series of different areas, including the 'outdoor living room', complete with a beautifully crafted stone Chesterfield sofa, all enclosed by flowering plant beds with feature trees and shrubs that provide shelter and a sense of privacy.  

John Moffat, development director for Hive, said: "I am extremely pleased that work has now completed on the Secret Garden and that it is open for use by residents. In developing Hive, we felt that it was massively important to provide somewhere for residents to relax, mingle and socialise. Hive's location offers some outstanding views and with the Council's plans to develop Eastside City Park, the Secret Garden represents a perfect opportunity for either the buy-to-let, or owner occupier markets.

"One buyer, who lives in Cyprus, purchased an apartment for her son and was so impressed with the amount of thought that has gone into the development of Hive - and the boutique hotel feel generated by the Secret Garden in particular - that she swiftly purchased an additional one-bedroom apartment, to rent out."

Part of the wider £600m mixed-use Masshouse scheme in Birmingham's Eastside, Hive brings an exciting and innovative new collection of studio suites plus one and two bedroom apartments to the city centre.  

John continued: "For a lot of investors, Hive really stands out above other developments in the city, predominantly through its central location which puts Selfridges, and Moor Street and New Street stations well within reach. I am confident that all of our buy-to-let purchasers are set to see a great return on their investments here, with one bedroom apartments at Hive currently achieving rental incomes of around £850 per month."

A choice of studio suite and one bedroom apartments are currently available with prices starting from £95,000 and are ready for immediate occupation.

Kick started through funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, Hive has triumphed over difficult market conditions, delivering stylish new apartments that are also highly innovative. All properties at the development are powered by Birmingham District Energy Company (BDEC) - the first time residential homes in the city have benefitted from the city's district water heating system, saving an estimated 92 per cent of CO2 emissions and reducing residents' hot water and heating bills by around 30 per cent.