BlueCastle Capital acquires former M&S flagship store in Birmingham city centre for landmark build-to-rent development

BlueCastle Capital, the build-to-rent developer and investment and asset manager, has acquired the former Marks & Spencer store on Birmingham’s High Street for a landmark development.

The store has been acquired from Marks & Spencer, which no longer occupies it following its move to a new flagship store in The Bullring.

The prime site at 42 High Street presents a rare opportunity to deliver a transformational residential-led development in one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration zones. Located just 250 feet from the future Curzon Street HS2 Station, the site will serve as a gateway to the city and a key anchor point between Birmingham’s central business district, the creative quarter of Digbeth and the emerging Smithfield development area.

BlueCastle is progressing plans for a build-to-rent development that will combine high-quality homes, modern tenant amenities and sustainability-focused design. The development is intended to form part of BlueCastle’s seed portfolio for its UK build-to-rent fund.

Ed Williams, CEO of BlueCastle Capital, commented:

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a landmark residential development at the heart of one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. Our vision is to deliver an outstanding build-to-rent scheme that sets a new benchmark for quality, sustainability and urban living.

 

Birmingham’s connectivity, culture and momentum make it a key city for our long-term strategy, and the site’s strategic location next to the HS2 terminus makes it a critical piece in the city’s regeneration puzzle”.

The Birmingham acquisition will form part of a pipeline of more than 1,500 build-to-rent homes, which also includes Stevenage, Cardiff and Sheffield.

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