Construction work on a new residential development in Birmingham city centre has reached its highest point.
Developers have 'topped out' the second phase of Exchange Square in The Priory Queensway where a 34-storey project is being built.
The complex will have 375 apartments to rent which will be managed on-site by Grainger which agreed in 2018 to forward fund and acquire the complex ahead of its construction.
Alongside the residential accommodation, there will be additional amenities including a residents lounge, gym, co-working space, complimentary wi-fi and a communal roof garden on the 30th floor.
There will also be retail space on the lower ground floor and 40 undercroft car parking spaces.
The apartments will complete phase two of the Exchange Square project which also includes a new Premier Inn hotel which opened in March while a new public square is also due to open shortly.
Phase one, which is called Allegro, opened in 2019 and contains 603 apartments to rent along with commercial and leisure space, a roof garden and gym.
Construction contractor McAleer & Rushe built the Premier Inn and is leading on the apartments.
Contracts director Shane McCullagh said: "We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone on what is an extremely complex project situated in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
"Our vast experience within the residential market, coupled with the support of our partners Nikal and Grainger, has allowed us to deliver a landmark tower that will provide much-needed homes into the city."
Exchange Square adds to Grainger's other build-to-rent projects in Birmingham which include Gilders Yard in the Jewellery Quarter which opened last summer.
Director of land and development Michael Keaveney added: "This is an exciting milestone for our Exchange Square scheme which will be an excellent addition to our Birmingham and Midlands clusters, providing 375 high-quality, professionally managed and well connected homes for renters in the heart of Birmingham.
"We look forward to seeing the scheme progress over the coming months ahead of our launch next year."
Manchester-based Nikal is the developer of both phase one and two of Exchange Square and also apartment blocks Masshouse and The Hive opposite this site on what was the old Masshouse Circus traffic island.
They are a stone's throw away from the new HS2 station which is being built in nearby Curzon Street.
Nikal's development director Darren Jones said: "The project represents an important boost to the continued regeneration of Birmingham city centre, supporting modern and sustainable communities, providing the opportunity for city centre living as well as linking residents to London in just under 50 minutes."
