Midgard coup as firm lands Birmingham’s Octagon tower

Midgard is carrying out work to build a 49-storey residential tower on the Paradise scheme in the middle of Birmingham.

Developer MEPC, which took over the scheme from Argent in July, has sold the Octagon tower to Singapore firm City Developments Limited which will now mastermind construction of the 155m tall building, which is has acquired its name because of its shape.

The £110m scheme was given the green light earlier in the spring with Midgard expected to finish work in 2025.

The firm, which is part of the JRL Group, has previously targeted several other tower schemes in the city.

Octagon is arguably its most high-profile contract to date, eclipsing its deal to build a flagship Art’otel close to Rivington Street in the Shoreditch area of London.

Midgard had previously been linked with a bid along with other firms to have worked on towers in Birmingham including Sisk, Wates and Bam – although Building understands the latter two decided not to price the Octagon job.

Octagon will be one of the tallest in a glut of towers planned for the city which include the tallest, a 61-storey block at 100 Broad Street designed by another local firm Glancy Nicholls.

MEPC said it will remain as development manager on the job with Midgard handed a 44 month deal meaning the job will be completed by late summer 2025.

Designed by local practice Glenn Howells Architects, the building will have 370 apartments.

JRL’s other businesses include demolition, piling and concrete frame arm J Reddington while it also has a plant business and drylining operation with all three expected to be involved with the job at some stage.

Others to have worked on the Paradise scheme include Bam, which built One and Two Chamberlain Square, while Sir Robert McAlpine is working on the One Centenary Way office block which is due to finish in 2023 and will see three floors of the building occupied by Arup.