Plans for a new apartment hotel on John Bright Street in Birmingham city centre have received planning approval, but the design has divided public opinion.
Development company Nacropolis has been granted permission by Birmingham City Council to expand the Borough Buildings, converting the former Ikon Gallery site into a seven-storey hotel featuring 179 rooms.
The Borough Buildings, opened in 1909 originally as a car showroom, have since operated as a carpet shop and housed the Ikon Gallery prior to its relocation to Brindleyplace.
READ MORE: DVSA reveals electric cars outperform petrol counterparts on MOTs at high mileage
READ MORE: Knighthead Urged to Expand Birmingham Sports Investments with Moseley Rugby
The project involves partial demolition of the historic building to add three rooftop storeys while retaining the building’s original façade. Approximately half of the 40 units will be studio aparthotel rooms with kitchenettes designed for longer-stay guests, while the remaining rooms will be traditional en-suite units catering to corporate and leisure visitors.
Upper floors will include larger units offering enhanced views across the city. Amenities planned include a reception area, kitchen and breakfast bar, co-working space, cycle storage, and a ground-floor outdoor terrace. A 44sqm café open to the public will be located at ground level, just behind the Alexandra Theatre.
On announcing the approval, Nacropolis expressed gratitude to Birmingham City Council’s planning department for their collaboration in advancing the scheme, calling it a significant milestone.
Despite the positive progress, some members of the public submitted objections. One commentator praised the building’s reuse and materials but criticised the upward extension, describing it as lacking harmony with the original structure and suggesting a mansard-style design would better complement the streetscape. Others expressed concern that the modern rooftop addition disrupts the aesthetic of John Bright Street and could detract from nearby Grade II listed buildings.
Conversely, a Birmingham City Council conservation officer supported the proposal, noting that the façade and upper floors would be preserved, with the roof extension set back to create a visually subordinate contemporary addition. The officer highlighted that the design respects the street’s scale and does not interrupt important views or relationships between listed buildings.
Reaction on social media was mixed, with some viewers calling the new design “hideous” while others congratulated the developers, describing it as “awesome.” The identity of the hotel operator set to manage the new property will be announced in due course.