Developers have confirmed the early completion of One Eastside, Birmingham's joint tallest skyscraper, marking a major milestone for the £200 million project. The 51-storey building, which broke ground in 2022, achieved practical completion on August 3, with bosses at Sphere Group handing the development over to its owners, Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC).
First residents to move in this summer
The tower is set to welcome its first residents this summer, offering 667 one and two bedroom homes for rent. Located on the site of the former chemical engineering and chemistry teaching buildings of Birmingham Metropolitan College, which were demolished in 2019, One Eastside now stands as a landmark on the city's skyline, sharing the title of joint tallest with The Octagon.
Residents will have access to a range of premium amenities, including a dedicated spa area featuring a jacuzzi, plunge pool, steam room and sauna, alongside a fully equipped gym and wellness studio. The Luminary Bar & Lounge on the 49th floor offers panoramic views across the city, while The Quill and Forge provides a co-working space, piano lounge and private cinema, paying tribute to the pub that once occupied the site.
Economic boost for the city
The development has already created around 90 local jobs and generates an estimated £33.5 million in annual economic value. Additionally, almost £16 million has been invested in locally sourced materials and services, underscoring the project's commitment to supporting Birmingham's economy.
Alex Neale, chief executive of the Sphere Group, expressed his pride in the achievement: “We are so incredibly proud to have brought One Eastside forward and to have achieved PC ahead of our target date. Handing the completed scheme over to PIC marks the culmination of years of hard work by our teams and I would like to thank everybody involved in making this fantastic development a reality.”
Collaboration and community engagement
Since breaking ground in 2022, the project has welcomed leaders from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority to celebrate progress at the site, alongside PIC and Midgard. Sphere Group also worked closely with Birmingham City University, including a student mentoring scheme last year.
Neale added: “We’ve also worked closely with Birmingham City University, including our student mentoring scheme last year. It’s been an incredible journey so thank you also to our stakeholders and local champions. At Sphere, we understand the importance of delivering homes that not only meet demand but raise expectations for city living. This scheme does exactly that and it’s fantastic to see residents making One Eastside their home.”
Meeting rental demand
James Agar, head of real estate origination at PIC, highlighted the significance of the completion: “The completion of One Eastside marks an important milestone in delivering 667 much-needed, new high-quality homes to continually meet the high demand for rental housing in the city. As Birmingham’s tallest skyscraper, One Eastside has been designed around the needs and expectations of modern renters.”
He continued: “A combination of premium apartments with a genuinely best-in-class amenity offering helps to create an unrivalled proposition that will help drive resident demand. Today’s residents increasingly seek more than just an apartment; they want flexibility, convenience, community and experiences within the buildings they call home. One Eastside delivers all of these requirements, providing an environment where people can live, work, socialise and connect.”
