It’s with good reason that the city at the heart of the Midlands is drawing attention to itself.
The world’s eyes are on Birmingham
In 2022/2023 the West Midlands attracted the largest share of foreign direct investment (FDI) outside of London, with 181 FDI projects, a 171 per cent increase from the previous 12 months1. This saw the region overtake the South East for the first time, and also created more than 8,200 jobs in the same period – a 48 per cent increase on the previous 2021/2022 figures. Foreign investment is shaping Birmingham like no other city in the UK, and the benefits are definitely being seen and felt.
The landmark 2040 vision for the city, set by Birmingham stakeholders including Arcadis and Howells, lays out the ambition for Birmingham to be a world leader in sustainable living. This includes plans for creating 74,000 new jobs, increasing residential density by 250 per cent and building 35,000 new homes2.
Birmingham’s international spotlight and compelling growth plans have led to global employers and leading SMEs calling Birmingham home.
Birmingham enjoys the largest regional business, professional and financial services sector outside of the capital. Its heart is in the well-established Colmore Business District, hosting global employers including the likes of Goldman Sachs, PwC and HSBC. Many other household-name businesses are also headquartered in the West Midlands, including Mondelez-Cadbury, Gymshark, and Jaguar Land Rover.
Educating tomorrow’s workforce
As the youngest city in Europe, with more than 40 per cent of the population under 25, Birmingham has a vibrant, youthful feel like nowhere else in the UK.
You will find five universities within Birmingham, including Russell Group member the University of Birmingham. Up to 80,000 students call Birmingham home during their studies, of which 49 per cent choose to remain in the city after their degree. This is testament to the quality of life on offer in the Midlands city3.
Major train stations, Birmingham International Airport and main motorways are all nearby, providing access to 90 per cent of the UK population in under four hours. The £50 billion High Speed Rail 2 project (due to be completed between 2029 and 2033) will connect Birmingham and London. with a journey time of just 454 minutes into central London, bringing more possibilities for travel, business and investment together like never before.
For investors, it is clear why Birmingham is on their radar.
On top of fantastic city credentials, 2023 data from JLL has shown Birmingham is recording an average annual rental growth of 17.9 per cent5. The demand continues to outstrip supply with recent data from Rightmove showing an average of 25 tenant requests for every rental property6 in the West Midlands.
Alongside the rental demand, property capital growth is predicted to increase by 19.2 per cent over the next five years. Two-bedroom apartments have led the way in Birmingham’s property growth, with prices rising by 27 per cent over the past five years7.
Choosing Birmingham
St. Joseph, member of the Berkeley Group, is leading the way in creating new homes located in Birmingham city centre. Its latest community, Glasswater Locks, is Berkeley Group’s newest and most premium Birmingham development.
Glasswater Locks will offer high-end city-living apartments that provide an exceptional experience for residents. Ranging from one and two-bed apartments to more spacious duplexes, Glasswater Locks offers contemporary living in surroundings finished to a luxury standard.
Nestled in the heart of the city, and with canalside views, Glasswater Locks links Birmingham’s regenerated Eastside with the vibrant Learning Quarter of the city. The 37-floor Glasswater Locks will have views over Birmingham that are unrivalled.
Complete with an on-site cinema, gym, communal office space areas that are perfect for remote working, and private gardens, Glasswater Locks is designed for modern life.
In addition to these leading amenities the city centre, business district, and Creative Quarter are all less than a mile away. The new HS2 rail station, Curzon Street, is less than half a mile away, making this an ideal base for those who regularly travel to London or want the ease of connectivity on their doorstep.
Michelin-star dining and excellent entertainment options are within easy reach of Glasswater Locks, making it the perfect choice for those who truly want to live and breathe everything Birmingham has to offer.
Find out more about the properties available, visit Glasswater Locks or call 0121 667 7813
1 West Midlands tops regional rankings for foreign investment
2 Our Future City: Central Birmingham 2040 | Howells
4 The Standard: ‘How much time will HS2 save?’
5 Big six residential development report (summer 23)