Images of Birmingham’s first ‘build to rent’ development unveiled

The development, by German property investment managers Patrizia, comprises 333 apartments on Pershore Street, on the site of the former ice rink in Southside.

Opening in November this year, The Forum is intended to kick-start a 'home rental revolution' in the city.

For the first time, people will be able to rent a home in the city in a building owned and run by a single institutional landlord, rather than a private individual or buy-to-let investor. Tenancies of up to three years are available, and residents can even bring their pets.

The developers say the service and amenities at The Forum will set it apart from other rental properties in the city.

Anita Jerkovic, director at Patrizia, said: “The Forum is an entirely different rental proposition to anything else in Birmingham to date.

“It is not a compromised converted building, it was built from scratch with its residents and bespoke amenity provision in mind. Renting is becoming a lifestyle choice for many people, but it has been elevated to a different level, with premium facilities and service provision. You will find them all The Forum.”

Communal facilities include: a private roof terrace, with allotment plots and views of the city centre; a large landscaped internal courtyard, with outdoor performance space, a pizza oven and BBQ facilities; a residents’ lounge with games tables and entertainment systems; a large lobby with coffee facilities, free WiFi and chillout zones; a private gym with state-of-the art equipment; and a guest suite with a fully fitted kitchen and dining room for hire/overnight stays, allowing residents to accommodate their visitors.

On-site concierge and on-call maintenance teams will provide a service more akin to a hotel than a rental apartment.

The Forum is built around a central courtyard and rises to 11 storeys. Linkcity is the development manager and it was built by contractor Bouygues UK.

Patrizia has appointed Atlas Residential to manage the building. Atlas is headquartered in Chicago - from where it operates more than 75,000 residential properties across the USA – and has a UK office in London.

Stephanie Smith, operations director at Atlas, said: “Our team is focused on delivering great customer service, high levels of resident satisfaction and retention and the provision of onsite amenities.

“As well as front of house/concierge and maintenance services, the team will be organising social events, from outdoor movie nights in the courtyard; cooking classes and tasting sessions in the residents’ kitchen; sports screenings in the residents’ lounge and live music on the rooftop. It’s renting, but not as you know it, with the emphasis on creating a community, not property provision.”

A range of studio, one and two bed furnished apartments and penthouses – some with private patio or balconies – will be available for occupation from November 2018. Parking and secure cycle storage is also available on site. Rents start at £695.

Reservations can be made at www.theforumbirmingham.co.uk,or via letting agents Fleet Milne and York Laurent.