Spitfire aims for Birmingham Jewellery Quarter

Spitfire Properties funded by partner IM Properties has acquired a prime new development site in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, from Birmingham City Council. The £45m deal will see Spitfire deliver up to 230 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments across eight floors at the Newhall Street site, with shops on the ground floor and a new public square. The scheme will link into both the Jewellery quarter and the city’s business district. Jon Richards, land director at Spitfire, said with the levels of investment  enjoyed in Birmingham, Spitfire is confident now is the right time to launch in the city centre. “Like IM Properties, we are all about seeking out the right opportunities and unlike many housebuilders we’re not answerable to shareholders and can move quickly to respond to the market,” he said. Work is expected to start on site in 2017, with the first apartments ready in 2018. Birmingham Council leader John Clancy said: “We need to build 90,000 new homes in the next 15 years across Birmingham and city living will have a big part to play as we strive to meet that target.” Spitfire Properties is the residential arm of the IM Group, of which IM Properties is also a part. • To send feedback e-mail lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com or Tweet @eglisap or @estatesgazette