Lancaster Circus, Birmingham

The Project

While the dramatic, angular towers of the new student accommodation in central Birmingham offer a striking addition to the city skyline, the location and footprint of the building presented challenges. Power On was selected for the professional guidance and experience it could offer and its competitiveness on cost.

Dramatic prominence

Providing a dramatic new addition to the Birmingham skyline, the high-rise student accommodation at Lancaster Circus comprises 1,023 bedrooms in cluster units. The triangular site occupies one of the most prominent areas in the heart of Birmingham city centre, situated adjacent to Aston and Birmingham City universities, just a few minutes’ walk from the Bullring shopping centre and New Street station.

The buildings comprise two striking, ‘razor-edged’, angular towers with a smooth gloss black finish, standing at 13 and 24 storeys. A 9-storey adjoining section anchors the two towers and reflects the historic architecture of the nearby Gun Quarter.

The purpose-built student accommodation provides top-rate facilities with extensive shared spaces including common rooms, study zones, a cinema, kitchen/living/dining space on the 24th floor and a health and fitness provision.

Electricity requirement

Power On provided a 1,000kVA LV metered supply and temporary builders’ supply to the development. An integral brick-built sub-room was created with 30m of off-site cabling.

Challenging environment

With the development in a prominent site in the heart of the city and on the flyover off the A38 main route into Birmingham, the programme schedule had to remain tight and fast-moving. Work was carried out right outside the Birmingham City Council offices, where access was required at all times.

Professional guidance

Power On was able to offer McAleer & Rushe maximum flexibility on the scope of the works. Detailed initial correspondence ensured Power On understood the client’s requirements whilst delivering professional guidance to provide the most competitive costs and value for money. Power On guided the client through the necessary processes to obtain design approval and negotiate the legal challenges that arise on projects of such magnitude and complexity. The aim was to ensure McAleer & Rushe’s connection date was met.