Argent plans 49-storey tower at Birmingham’s Paradise

Argent is consulting on plans for a 49-storey build-to-rent scheme at Paradise in Birmingham. The tower of 346 flats would be the world’s tallest octagonal residential building. Octagon will rise to 155m (510 ft), built to the north of the 17-acre city centre site. It will replace the office building at 77 Paradise Circus and Queensway, fronting Summer Row. Argent revealed plans to introduce residential to the site earlier this year with plans worked up by architect Glenn Howells. Last month it filed an Environmental Impact Assessment scoping request with plans for 47 storeys and 377 build-to-rent flats. The developer will run an online consultation on the new detailed plans from 5 May to 26 May and aims to lodge a planning application this summer. Pending consent this could see completion by 2024. Rob Groves, regional director at Argent, said: “Everything about the building – its height, the size of the apartments themselves and their design, the views and the location in the city centre – will be a first. “The unique shape of the building means the homes will be spacious and, due to its landscape windows, height and position on the Birmingham ridge, every single home at Octagon will have spectacular views across the city.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette