I'm not sure if this has already had a thread or if this has been posted but...


Trigram Properties worked closely with Opal Property Group – bidding to secure the site and then working with Opal and Optima Community Association to gain planning consent on this Ј20 million, 18 storey development providing 600 student beds together with a swimming pool and gym to be shared with the local community.

See Below Press Release For More Details.

Plans for a new 18-storey student housing block less than a mile from Birmingham City Centre are one step closer to reality following the sale of the 0.8 acre site on the Bristol Road .

The derelict brownfield land was formerly the site of Quebec Tower a run-down high rise block of flats in Attwood Green which was demolished in 2003. It has been sold by housing association Optima to Opal Property Group in association with Trigram Properties. GVA Grimley advised Optima on the sale.

The £20 million development includes a 600-bed housing block for students and a fitness centre with a swimming pool, sauna, gym, community room and a ball park area for use by the local community as well as the student residents. The completed property will remain under the long-term ownership and management of Opal Property Group.

Stuart Dawson, Residential Partner at GVA Grimley said: “This deal represents excellent regeneration of a landmark site with a high quality and functional building. Birmingham has a thriving and growing student population and this development will add to the diversity of the local community.”

Dennis Pearce at Optima said: “It's an excellent collaboration between the partners. Residents gain a valuable lei sure facility and we hope, in sharing it with the students, we'll see our vision of a socially inclusive community realised.”

Bill Houle at Trigram said: “Trigram Properties is proud to be working with Opal Property Group and Optima to deliver this fantastic project. Local residents have welcomed the scheme, which will improve community facilities as well as assisting in the diversification of the local economy.

“Birmingham City Council has worked closely with the architects, Loc Associates, in a spirit of partnership and cooperation which has added to the quality of the scheme.”


________________________________________

http://www.triprop.co.uk/belgrave.html

________________________________________

There are pics on the site, if someone wants to link them. It's pretty standard stuff, what you'd expect from student housing, reminds me of the MBc College next to Masshouse mixed with a block of council flats...

I have heard about it but I havent seen these renders - Looks quite nice for student accomodation. Love the steel, glass and red brick mix - If only it was another 5-10 storeys taller though it would look alot better.

http://www.triprop.co.uk/images/b2.jpg

http://www.triprop.co.uk/images/b4.jpg

http://www.triprop.co.uk/images/b6.jpg

http://www.triprop.co.uk/images/b1.jpg

http://www.triprop.co.uk/images/b3.jpg

Im guessing about 65-70m from those renders, Another great mid-rise addition to Birmingham.

Good find.

P.S They are much needed to, considering that HOKs curzon student village in Birmingham has been delayed because of some flaming company moaning.

I dunno. The highrise isnt too bad but the lowrise element looks pretty ugly.

I dunno. The highrise isnt too bad but the lowrise element looks pretty ugly.

Arrr, it be fine, Its the same stuff that is on the Matthew Boulton college and the Mailbox.

Ahh, its across the road from Mc donalds! Now i recognise the site. Remember eating a big mac watching the old block of flats being pulled down.

What'swith all the renderings recently??

Times are changing.

not bad. we'd heard about this before and the only one rendering we had was a quick scribble. this is much more concrete. i like the different use of colours!!!!

should be about 60m i think and with this going up and the new spiral glass tower across the road, theres a nice little cluster starting!

not bad. we'd heard about this before and the only one rendering we had was a quick scribble. this is much more concrete. i like the different use of colours!!!!

should be about 60m i think and with this going up and the new spiral glass tower across the road, theres a nice little cluster starting!

Another one to add to the list ;) I think its a little taller the 60m though - this red brick facade is 30m High - and thats only 8 storeys. I think it will be about 65m - 70m.

http://www.triprop.co.uk/images/b6.jpg

Whats the ghost tower in the render? The old flats or something else?

I love it! lol... If only Uclan had designed something this size for Preston.. I'd be in it like a shot.. lol...

The tower element is decent enough but the rest is very standardfare student accomadation. In these high visability sites, maybe they should have more competitive bids like at the Mailbox and of course these gateway sites should have a minminum 100m limit imposed as i just see 60/70 metre towers as wasted opportunities.

Now maybe they can think about closing the McDonalds opposite and develop something there too, because The Trees pub next door has closed and looks a right mess.
Great renders.

they are putting a huge plastic clown on the top of the bristyol road macdonalds, according to Planning .... another tower there would be great though

this one could be really good or really crap...you cant really tell from the rendering, is it brick or terracotta....is it the same silver coating as Matthew Boulton, is it the same architect ?

wander ?

Financially building towers above 20 floors to 40 is very expensive - once it gets over 40 storeys the prices level of again.

You are never going to see a major all student residential building built over 20 storeys in any city in the UK for a long time.

I think its very nice, a good height, nothing special but nothing drastic - just right for students who mess the place up anyway.

i agree, some or the major things you need in a gateway is more avaerage looking buildings to compliment the better towers.....ie the spiral glass tower across the road!

The courtyard is completely uninspired... a car park! Cant stand students with cars, grrrr

great another project for brum!,

The red bit looks vile. More fake terracotta on the way? :jippo:

I can't get excited about things like this really. I suppose it all adds to the city, and it's better than a scabby old block or bit of tatty land.

Nice view some of them stoodies will have though.

Put the renders on your desktop background - they look alot better :cheers:

P.S Like I said before you are never going to see something amazing built for students, there just isnt enough quick money in it.

Thanks for the rendings.

it looks exactly like the UNITE blocks that have just gone up by Lancaster Circus, they look ok, like housing association apartments !!!

Bloody hell, we've got renders left, right and centre at the moment.....it looks ok and it's yet another tower planned so we can't complain

I'm gonna work on something.......

I'm gonna work on something.......

Not my missus I hope - Tell me, Tell me ;)

this:

http://img225.echo.cx/img225/7744/belgravemontage6hz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

clever lad!

Im not keen on this Belgrave development,Brum deserves better,its a redbrick blob,,, you've suffered to many time's with developers throwing any old shite up in Birmingham,this is not good enough, i love the curvy one though

I can't wait to see it built. Not very tall, but nonetheless looks like it's tasteful and not made of cheap materials. Good design, the combination of steel and brick makes it look vey modern.

Nice mock up MSP.

nice work MSP, I guess we will see a few more towers around here too which is a good sign. Not much privacy though for the people living in the spiral tower though, the last thing you want is drunken students perring at you over the road.

nice work MSP, I guess we will see a few more towers around here too which is a good sign. Not much privacy though for the people living in the spiral tower though, the last thing you want is drunken students perring at you over the road.

Arr but some of them will be 20m higher then those scum bag students.

P.S More towers around here? :dunno:

Arr but some of them will be 20m higher then those scum bag students.

P.S More towers around here? :dunno:


The middle ring road from here to Fiveways is excellent location for tall buildings and on the other side of Fiveways leading around to the Jewellery Quarter. There will be a few more highrise buildings along that route. Just a matter of time before we see them.

I hope so Dee, however are you getting the feeling that all Birmingham is really doing is adding 70m extra on to our hill? theres going to be so many mid-rises soon that everywhere is going to be full of them. Canyons of the stuff ;)

well we all know that the area of land taken up by the MBC now is a key location the city wants to promote towers. however, i dont thnk we'll see much activity along from here to fiveways anytime soon. thats mainly lee bank which aint gonna have much highrise stuff and then ur onto the grassy edge of edgbaston which defo aiont going to se a tower!

They have removed the old blue haordings and replaced them with herris fencing. They also appear to have started some sort of excavations. Don't know whether this constitutes a start on site but it looks like a step in the right direction.

So when does construction start. I like the Blue one hope that gets built too

Land work has already started on the dull one (orange brick work)

http://www.triprop.co.uk/belgrave.html
http://www.locassociates.com/loc_main.html

I believe this is going to be known as Opal Court

Thanks for the link.

Yeah tar. So is the blue one not getting built. If not that sucks

The blue one is the tower proposed for park central. I'm not sure what the status of this tower is now. When tesco proposed to build a store just down the road, the project was put into doubt because it included a new asda store, which would suffer being so close to a tesco.

The last i heard was that despite the whole tesco thing, they are still considering building this.

That is excellent news. The tower is rightful and just to be in Birmingham. In Commercial Areas such as Tamworth Shopping area, there are Asda's and Sainsbury's so I don't see how it will be at a loss. I mush prefer Asda than Tesco but other people will differ with me so they shop at Asda. One to Asda the other to Tesco so no loss there only a gain

In Commercial Areas such as Tamworth Shopping area, there are Asda's and Sainsbury's so I don't see how it will be at a loss.

Yep - opposite each other!!!

I cant see why there is any problem, there's enough people locally for both strores to suceed

Exactly as I stated people enjoy differen shops so the'll shops at the prefered

Yep, I think B/ham needs anotehr ASDA!

Still, i do hope that tower goes ahead. Be a shame if not. That new hotel nearby is a bit uninspiring. Still, only an economy hotel i suppose.

But the tower currently being built... well, very good that it is happening and that something (relatively tall too) is going up on that site, but I think it would have been better without the orgnge brickwork, seems to be too much of that in developments nowadays... or is it just me?

You are right a lot of orange brickwork is knocking up, but I do know people who enjoy orange brickwork, pah ugh not me

But if they're going up Lee Bank (and I'll always know it as that), and they start on the Private accommodation on Eastside, they'll be oodles of people living resonably close. And all the people in the HCT, where will they get their milk, bread and 10 pack of B&H from?

Oh, Selfrages!

birminghamhas shit loads on inner city super markets

* Tesco x3 (mailbox, caxton gate, Five ways)
* Sainsbury x3 (Broad Street, Martinaeu Sq, New Street)
* Marks and spenser x3 (High Street, Colemore Row, New Street)
* Summerfield x1 (colmore row)

oh yes, and selfridges.....

not many places have 10 inner city stores!

Or Soverign Instead of B&H hmmmm.

There's also a tesco on corporation st

And on new street.

Though the Sainsbbury's just off new street seems to have closed now, i wonder why that is? ;)

There is one, a brand new one I get me fags me chocolate me crisps the paper and lots of other stuff in the one. by the Council House and Bullring. I think it maybe Corparation Street.

*I don't fucking know do I* Tuts *Sheesh*

The new Tesco on New Street, do you mean Musherface?

That development had a name but I can't for life of me remember it.

Caxtongate wasn't it?

The one that is modern just been built quite nice bledns in with all the victorian buildings around it. It has apartments above it.

I think it's pretty crap personally. I prefered what was there before if I rmemeber rightly.

I've tried to like it, but I can't.

It quite nice, I like it tough, it's alright

I believe Tesco's are planning a store in Southside and also in the JQ next to the clock tower.

Has anyone seen the bland new hotel with it's new lighting scheme, blue accent on the corner and white uplighters on the flank. To my mind it certianly look better at night than in the day.

No I ave not mate show me

Hows this one going?

Site cleared, hoardings going up, piling underway but nothing out of the ground yet.

Thanks :)

This has gotta be growing somewhat now - anyone with info?

yeah, i live down the road. the metal skeleton has reached about six/seven stories high now. there are also hoardings on the other side of the bristol road behind mcdonalds. anyone know what they're about?

yeah, i live down the road. the metal skeleton has reached about six/seven stories high now. there are also hoardings on the other side of the bristol road behind mcdonalds. anyone know what they're about?

Its not the Park Central tower is it? ;)

You could'nt get some pictures of Opal could you? thanks for the info :cheers1:

So roughly to where the arrow is pointing? does it look big?

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8303/belgrave5ou.png

looking at that pic slim it looks as if theyve got the skeleton up to a couple of stories on the tower proper. you can definately see the tower itself starting to rise above the rest of it

looking at that pic slim it looks as if theyve got the skeleton up to a couple of stories on the tower proper. you can definately see the tower itself starting to rise above the rest of it

Fantastic, seems as if the construction is the same type as both P&M and Masshouse residential - should see cladding going up in no time then.

Are Post and Mail and Masshouse the same type of construction?

Masshouse had a steel frame and no concrete core...

Post & Mail has a concrete core (& a steel frame?????)

Belgrave middleway seems to be steelframe and no core like Masshouse. Is this better suited to residentials, with offices requiring a reenforced concrete core??? Pure speculation from me as i know nothing about construction.

[QUOTE=SimLim]Its not the Park Central tower is it? ;)

Wrong side of the road, this is where the pub next door to McDonalds was. Pretty sure I'm correct in saying that Park Central Tower is planned to go where Haddon Tower currently stands ?

There is a lot of land surrounding McDonalds currently hoarded off, the pub next door and the patch of land behind.

Course it is, stupid me :)

Haddon Tower is going down in May isnt it? could we see a start on Park Central before year is out, hasnt it already been given approval? :dunno:

I think it's pretty crap personally. I prefered what was there before if I rmemeber rightly.

I've tried to like it, but I can't.


I also liked the building that was there before Temple House, a 1930's neo gothic thing, needed a bit of TLC but was excellent, does anyone have any pics?

I also liked the building that was there before Temple House, a 1930's neo gothic thing, needed a bit of TLC but was excellent, does anyone have any pics?

http://www.brownandmason.com/img/facade/12d.jpg

That one?

What are you guy's on about.....This tower is the opposite corner to haddon tower, across the road from Mcdonalds.

Its replacing a 60's tower block which was demolished a few years ago.

Opal Court 20 minutes ago

http://i1.************/x6cxuo.jpg

If that was 20 minutes ago i wonder what has happened since?

Maybe they have finnished the building. Can you go back and check.

Ok, I'm on my way

@brummie Nick. It's 18 storeys with 604 ensuite student bedrooms, a landscaped court yard, a gymnasium and pool

DOH! Cheers, sorry, totally missed this thread.

its quiote funny how most peole seem to be totally oblivius to the fact we a building an 18 storey student tower at this junction...should be quite imposing!

If that was 20 minutes ago i wonder what has happened since?

Maybe they have finnished the building. Can you go back and check.

Not a lot. We are talking builders, friday afternoon and sunshine.

Can you imagine ANYTHING is happening there now? ;)

its quiote funny how most peole seem to be totally oblivius to the fact we a building an 18 storey student tower at this junction...should be quite imposing!

I drive past this every day so I am not very oblivious! I must say, this is a huge building and when it reaches full height it will be imposing - it is already a groundscraper :)

Thanks for the photo.What's the name of the fifteen floor block next to it ?

ottowa court i believe...or something similar

Thanks for that.

Well, considering the size of this scheme its seem to have slipped into obscurity.

Here's the website for the project.

http://www.oconconstruction.co.uk/birmingham/microsite.html

Its got some progress photos for you all. Its well over half way now.

you've gotta feel sorry for those people that live in that one side of Ottowa twr


they used to have such a lovely view !!! :lol:

There's a view from Ottowa tower in todays Birmingham Post, at back of business section. Taken i think before Haddon demolished as im sure you can see tiny bit of it in corner.

will try and get copy or scan of it later.

How's this coming along. Had no updates for a while and its quite a major development.

It's nearly at full height and the brickwork is going up.

It is a huge building, and we might be seeing another before long! ;)

What is the height in metres? The website just says 18 storeys.

It's not massively high. Stoodent accommodation so I expect about 3 metres per floor, making it about 54 metres, which looks about right.

I haven't been to this part of town for ages, is it near to Five Ways Station?

no its by the mcdonalds on the bristol road....

yeah, though, justbimaging the gateway if another tower was built near by bio!!!!

Everytime one drives there, it's a bit dodgy. I'm kinda glad they knocked down all the council estates, the area was swarming with Druggies and Prostitutes, especially round the Mcdonalds area. By the way Woodhousen, any news on the tower that was supposed to replace Haddon Tower? I hope Opal court doesn't turn out to be another ETAP, the renderings don't do it justice.

no its by the mcdonalds on the bristol road....

yeah, though, justbimaging the gateway if another tower was built near by bio!!!!

Another tower built near by me?? Crumbs...

as ive said somewhere, the asda tower on the haddon tower site and the tesco across the road are bith going into the sdame planning appeal in march... it is hoped that then one of them, if any or both will get th go ahead!

I think there might be more than those Woody - would be a natural extansion of Skyscraper Alley down the A38 you see. The highest point will (hopefully) AC and step down, past HCT at 39 floors and down to Opal at 18 floors.

Lovely :)

wat u mean bio?

Well, the same developer is tendering for work in the same area (it is doing the rounds but I don't know why because they are tied in with Ocon - maybe they are tendering the M&E?)

They obviously don't have the Park Central site, so they can either go across the road, in place of St Luke's Church, or where Matthew Boulton College was.

My bet is they will be doing something substantial in one of those sites ;)

which developer... oh im so confussed, wana pm me an explain, dont wana let anything slip in my reasoning

Re-reading through this thread, whatever happened to Nacho? I think he was one of the first people to welcome me to SSC when I joined back i' the day.

Do we have any recent piccies of Opal Court?? I haven't ventured onto that side of Brum for a while, since Haddon Tower was demolished.

I was going to plan on getting some today but I'm really stretched for time. Apparently they just keep adding to it - in the words of my girlfriends sister who doesn't have the first clue about skyscrapers.

Just to give you a sense of scale, to anyone who has seen Opal Court in the flesh (and it is a huge building - 18 storeys high but about 25 wide), that will be the size of The Cube. Roughly.

:cucumber:

Some new Opal Court photos from yesterday:banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bham4th11200667.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bham4th11200674.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bham4th11200675.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bham4th11200679.jpg

Cool! Are they still adding more floors?!

I reckon so, I only count about 15 floors on it so far!

Jesus, its imposing enough as it is. This one of the developments which has really been hidden away.

Some new Opal Court photos from yesterday:banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bham4th11200675.jpg

^^The right hand side look a bit like Etap :(

Thanks for the pics though Smiley :)

hmmm. it does a bit doesnt it. didnt notice that before. thanks for cheering me up!

Some picture of the Opal Court thingy in Leeds here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=392446&page=3

I'm guessing that the Opals are all releated, there's one in Liverpool too, that looks quite nice to me. Students flats as well.

There was a small piece in this weeks Contract Journal about this one. Apparently they're using a snazzy falsework system which has knocked 8 weeks off the programme. It also says the building is clad in brick and zinc, so hopefully the Etap effect will not materialise...!

Zinc? Wont that explode when it rains?

No, you're getting zinc confused with potassium ;) I noticed the steelwork is up to slightly above the core this week

No! You're thinking of Magnesium! Now that wouldmake an interesting facade!!!

Zinc is one of the trendy roofing materials that a lot of houses on Grand Designs use. It's very durable, and relatively cheap compared to copper which used to be popular and lead - both of which now cost a fortune.

Zinc is of course also used on galvanised steel, which is what all the road parapet rails are made of....

Apparently, Zinc is also a rather good restaurant in town. That might make me explode.....

Bit like a chemistry lesson this......

has this been topped out yet?

Not yet, but not far off from what I can gather.

As long as it isn't clad in caesium or francium, then its alright.

No! You're thinking of Magnesium!
.

magnesium doesnt react with water.:ohno:
You're thinking of the Alkali metals :banana:

magnesium doesnt react with water.:ohno:
You're thinking of the Alkali metals :banana:

Oops! :bash: It's too many years since I failed my chemistry A-level!

Magnesium has to be kept under oil doesn't it....that's probably because it reacts with air then!!

Blimey, this is completely off topic!

No magnesium is fine. It just produces a bright white flame when burned which is enough to blind you at worst. There's nothing dangerous about it. Alkali metals need to be stored in oil because the moisture in the air causes them to fiz and or explode like lithium, pottassium and caesium :)

No magnesium is fine. It just produces a bright white flame when burned which is enough to blind you at worst. There's nothing dangerous about it. Alkali metals need to be stored in oil because the moisture in the air causes them to fiz and or explode like lithium, pottassium and caesium :)

It's coming back to me now through the mists of time.......:ancient:

Blooming hell. Who are you? Gandalf?

-.-

ok...coming back to the topic here

ok...coming back to the topic here

Good point!

Anyway, it is supposedly zinc clad, so that should make quite an usual contrast to the brick.

It's a shame that spirally tower seems to have come a cropper (am i right in this?), as the two could have made for an interesting set of buildings facing opposite each other at the junction.

its not dead and buried just yet, but it has a fight on its hand...and anyway, who knows... there could be another friend coming along soon ;)

........

Hi, I sense something big is about to appear on the old Mathew Boulton site opposite the tower. I also sense Woody knows something about it...?

I sense you might be right. Him and gothicform are real teasers.

There was talk banded round a few years ago when the new MBC was under construction that there was going to be a tower on this site. Hopefully we'll hear about it soon.

loving it

:lol:

No Woody, I'm Loving It

Mmmmmm! After those last posts, I thought I'd visit this thread and "sandwich" in a few pictures - took them the other day - they're from the car window (kids in car; double yellows etc etc) but you get the idea!

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/fruityandnutty/SSC/2006-12-30003.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/fruityandnutty/SSC/Rotationof2006-12-30004.jpg

My pictures are never great but it looks like it's full height now! I had the sun behind the building which didn't help.

It's still got the "posters" on the scaffolding, but the brickwork is going up on the far right (brick cladding over steel frame) and there a windows galore going in!

Thanks f&n! It looks brilliant. It certinaly is pretty much at the final height, I think they are assembling the roof strucutre.

It certainly blots out Ottawa Tower

I've been talking to some people who have had to inspect this and from what I hear, they are not happy.

They say the build quality so far is good but their view on the facilities is that they are pretty shocking.

Each floor has one kitchen with one microwave, one oven, a small fridge, an ironing board (with no iron) and a small sink. Toilets are cramped. Bedrooms are also small and cramped and they are to complain over the prices of these (£90 a week). Furthermore, there are only 16 car parking spaces.

The police have also conducted their own survey and whilst overly pleased about it, security-wise, they are angry that this is aimed primarily at foreign students and believe this could cause racial tensions.

This is all I've been told.

Could'nt care less to be honest. There's much worse student accomodation. £90 a week for an inner city apartment is rather good.

what do you mean 'racial tensions'?

I think they mean that if there are a lot of foreigners from all around the world then there maybe some problems between individuals or groups. I'm not exactly sure.

Could'nt care less to be honest. There's much worse student accomodation. £90 a week for an inner city apartment is rather good.

Apartment this is not. You have to share a toilet with all the other people living on your floor. You have to share the cooking facilities with all the people on your floor. And you have to store your refrigerated items in a small fridge with all the people on your floor. From what I hear, this is farcical.

hmmm i really dont know. i mean i dont expect student digs to be a dive, but hey, considering i am one at the moment, i think i am allowed to air a view..

firstly, £90 for that location is AMAZING, student or not. i thought these rooms were all en-suite from the plans i saw..?

and trust me, in first year, living with 6 ppl in a tiny flact with no iron and 1 microwave and blah blah blah, they aint going to be the ritz, but basic and saf, that is all they need!

hmmm i really dont know. i mean i dont expect student digs to be a dive, but hey, considering i am one at the moment, i think i am allowed to air a view..

firstly, £90 for that location is AMAZING, student or not. i thought these rooms were all en-suite from the plans i saw..?

and trust me, in first year, living with 6 ppl in a tiny flact with no iron and 1 microwave and blah blah blah, they aint going to be the ritz, but basic and saf, that is all they need!


I don't seem to recall ever living with you Woody? ;)

Apartment this is not. You have to share a toilet with all the other people living on your floor. You have to share the cooking facilities with all the people on your floor. And you have to store your refrigerated items in a small fridge with all the people on your floor. From what I hear, this is farcical.

Erebus. All rooms must have thier own toilet and shower nowadays. When I was at university I had 4 other housemates a giantic hallway with one lounge, one fridge one microwave one oven. It was fantastic and more then enough. There students. They dont expect luxury.

^^

two years ago, i lived in uni accomodations (richardson rd, newcastle) which was built in the 70s. there was 6 lads, 1 shower, 1 toilet, 3 sinks, 1 oven, 1 microwave (which didnt work well), 1 fridge (where the light bulb melted the food as it didnt turn off after closing) and 1 small freezer, for £60 pw....

The only thing that sounds shoddy there is the 1 toilet one shower bit. apart from that its the norm. Even in a normal 5 person house/

£90 a week ie just under £400 a month. For that you can rent a room in a city centre apartment.. ie one designed for young professionals. How exactly is a student meant to afford this to live in Lee Bank? I think the reason they will get foreign studnets in is cause UK students would understand the market and not pay that much.

When i lived in a student house in Leeds (in 1999 - 2001) i paid £43 a week + bills.

Now i live in a nice big Victorian share house in a nice part of Edgbaston with no bills for £285 per month.

I think anybody staying there will be completely ripped off. It isn't a Derwent living property by any chance is it?

1 bedroom apartment in the city center brand new is no less then £550-£600pm.

I very much doubt it is £90pw but even if it is, I would'nt complain.

and that £90 pw will certainly include bills!

I've been talking to some people who have had to inspect this and from what I hear, they are not happy.

They say the build quality so far is good but their view on the facilities is that they are pretty shocking.

Each floor has one kitchen with one microwave, one oven, a small fridge, an ironing board (with no iron) and a small sink. Toilets are cramped. Bedrooms are also small and cramped and they are to complain over the prices of these (£90 a week). Furthermore, there are only 16 car parking spaces.

The police have also conducted their own survey and whilst overly pleased about it, security-wise, they are angry that this is aimed primarily at foreign students and believe this could cause racial tensions.

This is all I've been told.

There is a forum on the Opal website (I think) and you can see that there are many British students booked in there.

I cannot see how the people inspecting can complain - it is too late! They should be looking at plans and proposals before planning, rather than once it is built. Plus, for student accommodation, this sounds pretty standard to me.

The parking is something that the planners consider also. I don't see why there needs to be many parking space given a) they're student b) they're close to the city centre and not far from the unis c) they have good transport links.

Anyone know the planning ref? We could check the sizes out :yes:

Btw - the cladding is going on and it looks pretty good! :)

desperately needing pics of this baby!

I saw this for the first time at the weekend, it was a lot bigger 'in the flesh' than I expected.

desperately needing pics of this baby!

Website is normally quite up to date. Some of the view looking towards 5 ways look very healthy. :)

1 bedroom apartment in the city center brand new is no less then £550-£600pm.

I very much doubt it is £90pw but even if it is, I would'nt complain.

I was more talking about a comparable sharing situation taking one room in a 2 bed apartment. Quite a few people i know either own or rent sharing in this arrangement and the £400 is a fair figure that usually doesn't cover bills but does cover the service charge.

Do some of these property developer types actually rent their city pads to students then?

No disrespect to any students on here, but I wouldn't.

sharing a toilet and kitchen with 8+ people is really no problem i shared 2 toilets with 10 people 2 years ago in my student accomodation. usually the price reflects location rahter than standard of living

£90 a week ie just under £400 a month. For that you can rent a room in a city centre apartment.. ie one designed for young professionals. How exactly is a student meant to afford this to live in Lee Bank? I think the reason they will get foreign studnets in is cause UK students would understand the market and not pay that much.

When i lived in a student house in Leeds (in 1999 - 2001) i paid £43 a week + bills.

Now i live in a nice big Victorian share house in a nice part of Edgbaston with no bills for £285 per month.

I think anybody staying there will be completely ripped off. It isn't a Derwent living property by any chance is it?

I was paying £78 a week in Selly Oak!!! That was en-suite with shared kitchen and 5 people in the flat. Most of the flats were 4-5 people. I thought that was reasonable.

I've not got a photo, but they are slowly beginning to unwrap this from the top down.

I must say, despite my fears, so far it is looking good. The zinc (if that is what it is) is not as shiny as I'd hoped but is nice and tidy. The windows, whilst small, are not tiny and work well with the contrasting recess. The left side of the tower is stepped differently to the right, the glazed spine looks good, and from the southern side, there is large vertical lettering spelling "OPAL COURT" :)

All in all, so far so good! :banana:

Just a thing that I noticed walking past it the other week. If you lived in the block next to it by police station and are in the side of the block facing five ways direction you are going to have no view now.

Is there long term plan for demolition of that as I wouldnt be happy losing view and light to tower next door.

^^Is this Ottawa Tower, you're talking about?

Just a thing that I noticed walking past it the other week. If you lived in the block next to it by police station and are in the side of the block facing five ways direction you are going to have no view now.

Is there long term plan for demolition of that as I wouldnt be happy losing view and light to tower next door.

There used to be a tower there before though wasn't there?

Yeah, Ottowa.

Im not sure, can't remember. Apparently there was a cinema where McDonalds was.

Yeah, Ottowa.

Im not sure, can't remember. Apparently there was a cinema where McDonalds was.

There was a Cinema. ABC Bristol Road - a nice old Art Deco thing. I saw Airplane there....:nuts:

Just to let you all know, I went past this today and the scaffolding is starting to be taken down. So we should be seeing how this has turned out fairly soon.

^^Bio's already told us but thanks anyway! Be good if you could get some piccies :happy:!

It's Etap on speed, basically

I went past today, and the supposed zinc cladding does look a bit "flat".

It's got about two floors exposed at the top.......when I saw it I feared another Orion, but I'm keeping my hopes up.

"Whitby World Class" it certainly isn't but I'm optimistic it'll be a decent improvement to a previously non-descript corner.

Linking to another thread - it'd have been a great viewing point for the Super Prix.

Given that this is student accommodation and therefore not an expensive building, so far I am pleased with it. Yes the windows are a little small, but that doesn't really spoil the building, and it has one great aspect - it is interesting.

Cough-cough pictures? anyone?

Here are a couple from today including a rare one from the back!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/birmingham1stApril200771.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/birmingham1stApril200751.jpg

Nice shape, not too sure about the cladding though, does look a little Etap dosn't it? In the pictures that is, not seen in real life, not since it was about half the size anyway.

Imposing is certainly one to describe this. I'm with Stephen on this. Top looks quite Etap but I'll wait to see this one finished.

i agree about the slight etapness bout it, but the fact that its name is at the top of the tower, and there are other materials being used aswell as the white stuff means im a lil more hopefull for this :)

I dont actually think that it looks that bad, though it is a very wide building it doesnt look too out of place. It fits in nicely for the taller buildings of the city centre

Thanks smiley :)

In the flesh the cladding looks more metallic, and don't forget the left flank is part brick which will break it up.

Saw this coming down the Bristol Rd (into town) today and i have to say it doesn't dominate from this view as i thought. I'm used to seeing it from 5 ways station and it looks huge from there.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000321.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000323.jpg

Sorry, but the sun was just behind the building, hence the terrible photo, it also dosn't look as stumpy in real life.

Tis a nice shape, but the cladding, maybe they havn't stuck the zinc cladding on?

lol your photo isnt that bad! yeh it doesnt look very stumpy in real life maybe its just the wideness of it makes it look like it needs a few extra floors. I also liek the back quite a lot as its curved in the middle.

lol dont worry its not a terrible photo! the reason why it may look stumpy to some people is that because of how wide it is it looks like it needs a few extra floors. I quite like the back also!

Forgot to say, Like the art decoish fins on the front as seen in the side view, well, they would be, if it wasn't for the bloody tree!

Dunno if that's part of the design, or some thing they havn't finnish yet

Yep, part of the design :yes:

My guessing the zinc cladding was value engineered out :(

Still, looks alright and is very imposing. I'm looking forward to seeing how the brick section works with the cladding.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000500.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000501.jpg

I think I like it now. And I like "Opal One".

Since when has Ottawa House been that tall?! :eek:

Do you think Opal One might breed and we get Opal Two :)

It looks a lot less squat in real life than on the pictures, again not the greatist picture as I had the sun in my eyes, again.

Wonder what that strange black mark is, looks like the end of cable tie that's sticking out from a lamp post or something.

Some of the brickwork is a bit dodgy though, but I do like the Art decoish line on it.

Do you think Opal One might breed and we get Opal Two :)

who could possibly know ;)

I doubt it would be student accomodation but another tower has been rumoured!

That's (S)MacDonalds is a rather small building for such a prime site, you could easly build another one in the first floor of a much larger building.

Just saying like.

Well, when Park Central again descends into another masterplanning, prewar farce of construction and design, the MacDonalds will once again reassert its position as the number 1 local eaterie. The residents of Opal One will hasten that declaration - what's the point of shunting up to the city centre when there's a high-carb diet producer on your door step :tongue2:.

but who said anything about macdonalds going?

I did.

and it's all true!!!*

Unless of course you know better, and if you happen to like tell us, don't worry, we won't gossip, will we boys?








*note: lie

^^ :nono:*
That's no way to get a rumour started.





* :lol:

Jesus wept, it's Etap on speed.

Not quite that bad surely? Although i agree it is a tad bland. But we're not really getting the effect of the lower brick section yet, which adds some colour.

Not impressed myself. I think Blunther's right, it is Etap on speed. It's bland, stumpy, and looks cheap.

Oh well. It's an improvement on what was there previously I guess.

it may not be the most impressive building going up on the birmingham skyline, but it student accomodation for christsake and when it comes to student accomodation that is a pretty impressive one and huge improvement on what was in place previously

Not impressed myself. I think Blunther's right, it is Etap on speed. It's bland, stumpy, and looks cheap.

Oh well. It's an improvement on what was there previously I guess.

I don't think it is stumpy. Whilst it has some width to it, it still has a substantial height emphasis and is very imposing.

Just can't help but think we could have had something of a higher quality. I know it's student acomodation, but did they have to put it on one of the busiest intersections in the city? Surely the land would have fetched a higher price than that? :dunno:

It's right next to a tower block and opposite a former council estate with MacDonalds on the doorstep :ohno:

It's right next to a tower block and opposite a former council estate with MacDonalds on the doorstep :ohno:

So is HCT! Only with a derelict cinema instead of mickey D's! :tongue2: Plus lots of subways that smell of wee.

Anyway, it's built now so there isn't much I can do about it!!

Ah well, it's better than nothing! You never know - it may encourage highrise development from the city centre up towards it, but I doubt it :(

well compared to what UNITE is putting up in other cities, we should be greatful!

I quite like it. It would look very impressive in Telford town centre.

Oof UNITE! They are an odd bunch. I don't understand their logic in building sometimes. Though I am happy with what they did to Londonderry House. This surpasses all student accommodation I have seen in this city though.

on a previous question sheffield has an "opal one" developement too (although not an impressive tower) which was finished in september 2006 "opal two" is going to be ready for september this year so that bodes well for the development of a second opal in brum

Update: Courtesy of mk61
http://i16.************/4pv6c1s.jpg

Haddon/Aston University crossdresser of a building.

That red sure eats into this building... The rest of it doesn't look much newer than Alpha Tower. :(

It really is much better in the sunshine. I would recommend if you haven't seen it in the flesh then do.

I come past this quite often heading out of town & i like it!

It's not amazing, but it sure has improved this corner no end!

I just wish they'd built the spiral tower opposite!

Looks better in the flesh

notice Highters Heath & Druids Heath towers in distance to the right.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1268012365_c6b8429d69_o.jpg

^^ At least it blends in with the other stuff around it.

Great picture! Where's it taken from? One of the Sentinels?

alpha

It doesn't look that much better than the block it replaced !

This opens to students tomorrow.

New page - New Pics.

First time I've seen this one in person. It's not bad but if the red part isn't in view, it looks just like a 60's council block.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Opal3.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Opal2.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Opal4.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Opal1.jpg

Do you think it was designed to resemble Ottowa Tower next door (think that's what it's called) or did that just happen?

p.s. Thanks for all your pictures today Van!

^^I think it was designed to compliment it at least. Not sure it was designed to look like it though.

Apparently the students have already moved in but a lot of the rooms have not been completed yet. The gym on the ground floor is yet to be assembled either. What's worse is that the company don't seem to be making much progress in making sure everything is done. They're moving slowly.

wow, this tower really isnt that bad....

What was there before? I can't remember!

Ottawa Tower's sister block - Quebec Tower

Ottawa Tower's sister block - Quebec Tower

Quebec is still there isn;t it?

I thought this bit was just empty!

Quebec Tower was demolished in 2003! I found some documents a little while back about it.

Aah! Thanks Erebus!

Another picture similar to one above^^


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1010029.jpg

At least we didn't get this.....
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/xapbpoh/opal2_1.jpg

I don't understand the lack of windows in todays architecture. I thought people understood that its good when there is loads of glass :?

mi gonna be interviewing the architect about this scheme. anyone got any questions for me about it?

Yeah, why the lack of windows? Or why is it not symmetrical?

Will there be an Opal 2?

Was it supposed to look like the 60s tower block next to it? (that needs rewording, but you know what I mean! :goodnight:)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Opal2.jpg

Will there be any more of these springing up around the country?

Well, there's the one in Leeds, isn't there? They're not trying to be a poor man's Beetham are they?

--DELETE: has nothing to do with the architects--

mi gonna be interviewing the architect about this scheme. anyone got any questions for me about it?

Which one Goth? The Brum one?

If so I am fairly pleased with it but a couple of questions (more related to the builder I guess):

- ask him to include batch blending in his NBS for brickwork as I hate patchy brickwork
- ask him why the "zinc cladding" has been changed to grey composite (I suspect the answer is value engineering
- will there be an Opal 2 as Stephen asked? This was called Opal Court and becamse Opal One (mysteriously)

Yes Bio! The zinc cladding is the big issue for me.

It was featured in Contract Journal for it's proposed "zinc cladding" - and the fact that it's gone has let the building down.

But I'm still a fan of this building. Most photographs don't do it justice.

mi gonna be interviewing the architect about this scheme. anyone got any questions for me about it?

Ask him to get a new job please.

well compared to what UNITE is putting up in other cities, we should be greatful!

You wanna see their new one in Coventry, its a vile Lego style complex, looks horrid from town!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1010095.jpg

Thanks for the pic. S'alright IMO :)

not bad at all!

I looks very good in that photo .Thanks Stephen.

bet there's a few residents in ottowa tower none too happy !

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/opal-ottowa.jpg

Nice shot. Is that from top of old MBC?

Wiggley could well claim it's rural as it looks like university clocktower is in the middle of a forest.

bet there's a few residents in ottowa tower none too happy !

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/opal-ottowa.jpg

The brick low rise element looks like a modern Dutch building from that view.

I notice that the building to the left of Ottowa Tower ( just behind ) has its windows boarded . Is it to be demolished ?