Gilders Yard Build-to-Rent development, Birmingham

"Clegg's resilient, collaborative, and committed approach"

“We appointed Clegg to help us complete the Gilder’s Yard scheme following the unfortunate collapse of a previous main contractor, leaving a partially completed frame.

This logistically complex, inner-city project, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, was by no means challenge-free, with industry-wide supply chain difficulties and government-enforced restrictions to contend with. However, as a result of Clegg’s resilient, collaborative, and committed approach we have been rewarded with a high-quality development.

We very much enjoyed working with Clegg Construction and would certainly consider them for future residential schemes.”

- Michael Keaveney, Director of Land and Development - Grainger PLC

Location:

Birmingham, UK

Value:

�18.1m

Scope:

Design & Build

Gilders Yard offers 158 new homes as part of a PRS scheme, together with 10,000 sq. ft of commercial space.

The completed development features one- and two-bedroom rental properties, working spaces, a 24-hour gym, as well as a range of other onsite amenities designed to provide future occupants with a contemporary yet homely space to live, work and socialise.

Foundation/Frame/Envelope

The development comprises a combination of reinforced concrete frame and timber frame upper storeys. The architecture was designed to pay homage to the former site, with one of the new buildings featuring a distinctive terracotta exterior created to echo buildings from the area’s Victorian past.

Site Challenges

The project comprised the design and construction of three new buildings, two of which adjoin either side of a three-storey, grade II* listed former factory building which was once owned by jewellery firm Ashford & Sons.

The development is located on the edge of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, and is bordered by four busy roads and in close proximity to a range of businesses, including restaurants and retail spaces. Working in such a constrained area, we helped reduce disruption to neighbouring businesses via regular programme updates, pre-scheduled deliveries, as well as the implementation of noise, dust and vibration minimisation techniques.

Services

Services installed on this development comprise a combination of electric heating systems and MVHR, with the listed component of the scheme incorporating gas combi boilers to serve cast iron radiators across the building.

The development also benefits from roof-mounted PV insulation to provide clean, green energy to occupants.

Environmental and Social Value

During the project we hired a Loughborough University student undertaking a degree in Commercial Management to act as a trainee quantity surveyor on the scheme. The student, who was seeking paid work experience in his chosen field during his gap year, was exposed to all facets of quantity surveying on site, including arranging re-measures, co-ordinating meetings with subcontractors, as well as processing invoices and managing payments.

Handed over in May 2022, the scheme aims boosts the West Midlands’ residential offering, as well as contributing towards economic growth with the inclusion of 10,000 sq ft of commercial space that can be utilised by local businesses.