Mayor visits historic building following restoration to provide new homes

An ornate Victorian building has been given a new lease of life after being lovingly restored to provide new homes in the heart of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

Mayor Richard Parker toured the finished Great Hampton Street Works for the first time since seeing work get underway on the project 15 months ago.

At that time the Grade II* Listed building in Great Hampton Street had been used as an unheated and bare warehouse and needed a complete and comprehensive overhaul to bring it back to life and protect it for future generations.

The restoration and conversion of the former warehouse has been carried out by Great Hampton Street Button Works Ltd and Hanehouse Developments, with the help of an investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which is chaired by the Mayor.

The building is now home to 29 one-and two-bedroom apartments boasting original features such as exposed beams and brickwork, original cast iron windows and also features some of the original machinery from the time it was a button factory. The new homes, set around landscaped courtyards, are being made available for rent.

Great Hampton Street Works was built in 1872 to house a new button factory for Green, Cadbury and Richards. The architect behind the original building, Henry Richard Yeoville Yardley Thomason, also designed the Council House in Birmingham city centre. 

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said “Great Hampton Street Works is an important part of the Jewellery Quarter’s heritage, but it was badly in need of restoration when I visited last year.

“So, it’s heartening to see the tremendous job the developers have done in restoring it to its former glory bringing new homes and an added vibrancy to the area.

“Converting historic buildings like this one and regenerating derelict industrial sites will support my Growth Plan to reignite our regional economy, by providing high quality, well-located housing, that workers will want to move into and call home.”

The regeneration of former derelict sites, often referred to as brownfield land, is a key focus of the recently launched Growth Plan, which sets out to reboot the West Midlands economy by creating 100,000 good jobs in fast-growing industries, improving public transport, and building 120,000 homes.

Richard Whitehouse, director of Hanehouse Developments, said: “On behalf of John Heath of Great Hampton Street Button Works Limited, the developer, we are delighted with the completed project. It has delivered what we were seeking to achieve – a high-quality restoration and conversion of a fabulous historic building that will leave a legacy for years to come. We very much hope the new residents will enjoy living there.

“Our initial vision for the building has been exceeded by the delivery and it has been a pleasure to work with the Mayor, his team at the WMCA and all the professionals who have delivered the finished scheme.

“All the consultants, the contractor, sub-contractors and suppliers who worked on this building are all based within 15 miles – making this a true Birmingham project. 

“Having worked on this building we and John Heath are already looking at new opportunities on similar projects across the region and believe we can replicate the success of Great Hampton Street Works.” 

Access to the WMCA funding was provided by Frontier Development Capital Ltd (FDC), who continue to work closely with property developers to arrange investments from the WMCA's Commercial Investment Fund (CIF) and Residential Investment Fund (RIF).