Author Archives: Kate

“To produce a pastiche of the original buildings would have diminished the originals and diluted their brilliance.

To differentiate between those building elements which contain the living accommodation and those parts which make up the circulation spaces, we have lifted the homes off the ground so that they float as two matt black boxes over the ground floor, which is clad in contrasting red-brown coloured timber. The boxes have then been pulled apart to create an open walkway.

Windows in walls generally appear black or dark grey when viewed during the day. This can help add interest to an elevation, can produce rhythms and movement, but it can also weaken a strong form. In this case we wanted the windows to be as invisible as possible within the overall composition and to blend in with the walls which surround them, so we selected the black zinc as the ideal cladding material. The projecting windows and the cut-out terrace are macro-interventions into the black zinc skin which add further visual interest without eroding the purity of the primary forms. The joints in the zinc material are in a semi-random pattern so that the black floating boxes are given a texture, a relief which helps break down the scale to a smaller module.

The timber by contrast has been used in the parts of the building envelope that will come into contact with the body. An inherently tactile material, the wood makes a fantastic contrast with the more precise, machine-like qualities of the zinc.

The route from the main entrance into the open walkways is filled with visual interest. A combination of light, glimpsed views and beautiful materials will make these spaces a joy to use.”

Prior to the final sales release of apartments at The School Yard, all interested parties are urged to contact selling agent Centrick Property on 0121 347 6116 or email andy.butts@centrickproperty.co.uk to register interest.

Successful local businesses serving their local community will always be at the core of any effort to help the modern High Street survive and thrive.

Over the past two years, during my work at The School Yard, I have come to know many High Street retail shop owners and to relish the fabulous food and drink of ‘The Harborne Mile.’ But the customers who are the food and drink of retailers don’t appear magically overnight. A high street needs to promote itself.

And that’s where the Harborne Business Association, or HBA, can help. It’s becoming a popular association with more and more businesses seeing the value of joining. The HBA has worked hard with our local authority partners to become the recognised voice of business for the area. We are a non-profit organization and our committee members are trustworthy, reliable and professional.

Forging that kind of relationship has enabled the HBA to access grant funding from Birmingham City Council. Part of this funding is going towards an upgrade of the website and a bi-monthly email newsletter to HBA members to help companies keep in touch and promote local events and news.

We are actively looking for more revenue streams. We are also bidding on funds to improve signage for Harborne as well as access to car parking. It’s important to make a high street safe and secure for shoppers and we are getting the Retail Radio system back up and running. We now have control of the system thanks to Cllr John Alden and HBA committee member Elaine Cunningham, of the Harborne Retail Crime Prevention Initiative, and passed us their surplus funds.

For this to really succeed and to grow and attract future investment, we need memberships. This is a great opportunity for the businesses of Harborne to promote their offer – and I would urge people to join. I think it’s fair to say that Harborne hasn’t promoted itself as well as neighbouring suburbs such as Moseley and Kings Heath. It’s time for that to change and the HBA is there to support you and to promote Harborne in the local community and to visitors further afield – all customers that ultimately we rely on for business. 

CONTACT: Mary McGarry (Mulberry Lettings) HBA Membership Secretary T: 0121 426 3951

(Words courtesy of Phil Brown of Harborne, Edgbaston & Moseley Life)

The Boston Tea Party staged a memorable early evening party to mark the opening of their 15th café-bar at The School Yard in Harborne. 

Following a ten-week build, the new café unit has been transformed into a beautifully designed space that can seat 100 guests inside, with a further 50 outside in a private walled garden at the Grade II listed landmark. The walled space used to be the garden of the Victorian school building’s headmaster’s house.

The opening has created 43 jobs, and over its first weekend BTP ran three invite only sessions in which over 350 local residents and businesses experienced the café bar whilst giving the new employees an opportunity to complete their training.

Sam Roberts, managing director of BTP, said: “It’s great to be finally opening! Following the opening of our existing café-bar in Birmingham city centre in 2012, our customers have been suggesting we look at the surrounding areas too.

“We’ve been searching for suitable locations and buildings, and Harborne fitted the bill perfectly. The School Yard is a great scheme with bags of character and enables us to have an outside seating area, which we were very keen on.

“The transformation that the unit has gone through is incredible and we hope everyone enjoys the finished café. We’re very proud of it.”

The £5.5 million School Yard project, a development by EDG Property, is already home to Urban Coffee, Prezzo and the Harborne Food School, which is due to open later this year.

Neil Edginton, managing director of EDG Property, said: “This is another great name for Harborne and shows yet further confidence in Birmingham generally.

“Boston Tea Party is a great brand and adds strength to the mix of operators already open. This is the fifteenth site for Boston Tea Party and the first to have extended opening hours, from 7am to 11pm each day.

“We are really proud of The School Yard and are now extremely focused on the new contemporary residential building at the scheme, which will start on site in the coming months.”

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Shafique Shah, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here at this amazing School Yard venue.

“I have only been Lord Mayor four weeks and this is my third visit to Harborne. First I re-opened a Lloyd’s pharmacist, then an estate agency and now I’m here.

“I am delighted that Boston Tea Party selected Harborne. Businesses like this are the lifeblood of the local economy and I’m sure it will encourage more people to eat, drink and shop here.”

(Words courtesy of Phil Brown of Harborne, Edgbaston & Moseley Life)

EDG Property is delighted to report that the first release of homes at The School Yard, presented at last week’s launch event, sold out! Only five properties now remain at Harborne’s iconic scheme, which are yet to be released.

Located in a contemporary zinc building, designed by award-winning architects Bryant Priest Newman, the boutique apartments and duplexes will offer fashionable open-plan living. Complete with individually designed contemporary kitchens featuring granite worktops, designer bathrooms, a stylish mix of natural stone and timber floor finishes, video entry, many with roof terraces and secure parking, plus lift access.

Selling agent Andy Butts of Centrick Property commented “Opportunities in Harborne for quality new build apartments are few and far between and the level of demand for off-plan sales at The School Yard has been exceptional with this release selling out in two days.  With only a handful of homes now remaining here, it is more important than ever to register your interest to avoid disappointment.”

Occupying a prime position off the High Street and alongside the new private square, the contemporary residential building will complement the timeless appeal of Harborne’s Grade II Listed Clock Tower.

Please contact selling agent Centrick Property on 0121 347 6116 or email andy.butts@centrickproperty.co.uk for further details.

EDG Property’s iconic School Yard development in Harborne will unveil phase two of the scheme with a limited number of residential properties going on sale at an exclusive appointment-only launch event starting this Friday.

Located in a contemporary zinc building, designed by award-winning architects Bryant Priest Newman, just thirteen boutique apartments, duplexes and townhouse will offer fashionable open-plan living.  Complete with individually designed contemporary kitchens featuring granite worktops, designer bathrooms, a stylish mix of natural stone and timber floor finishes, video entry, many with roof terraces and secure parking, plus lift access to all apartments and duplexes.

Occupying a prime position off the High Street and alongside the new private square, the contemporary residential building will complement the timeless appeal of Harborne’s Grade II Listed Clock Tower.

The first release of homes will be presented at the exclusive launch event at The School Yard on the 20th and 21st June to all those that secure an appointment. Plans, brochure and specification will be available to view. With limited availability those interested are urged to contact selling agent Centrick Property at their earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

To secure your appointment at the launch event please contact selling agent Centrick Property on 0121 347 6116 or email andy.butts@centrickproperty.co.uk