Historic ballroom site waltzes into housing future

A historic Birmingham entertainment venue is set for transformation after plans were agreed to deliver new affordable homes alongside community and green spaces.

Keon Homes has signed a deal with Birmingham City Council to redevelop the former Tower Ballroom site in Edgbaston, delivering 95 affordable homes in partnership with housing association Midland Heart.

The scheme will include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments as well as two, three and four-bedroom family homes, with properties available through social rent and shared ownership.

As part of the redevelopment, the former ballroom site will be reshaped to include a new public walkway and square, alongside enhanced landscaping along the water’s edge designed to improve biodiversity and support the nearby nature reserve.

Plans also include the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Reservoir Lodge, which will become a community hub providing shared spaces for charities and local groups.

Councillor Sharon Thompson, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills at Birmingham City Council, said: “The Tower Ballroom redevelopment aims to create a vibrant new community, offering high quality energy efficient affordable homes and attractive outdoor spaces. 

“It will give residents the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of waterside living while remaining just a short distance from the city centre.

“Delivering more decent affordable homes for Birmingham families is a key priority for this council. 

“Every project like this helps us move closer to our goal of building 2000 homes a year that create thriving communities and transform people’s lives.

“We have consulted extensively with the public over many years to regenerate the area – and we have listened to the feedback and made changes to the development to deliver a site.”

Oliver Thompson, senior land manager at Keon Homes, added: “We are delighted to have finally exchanged contracts on this historic and distinctive development site within Birmingham, adding to our growing portfolio of schemes across the Midlands.

“This milestone reflects the huge amount of work that has been undertaken by all parties, including months of collaboration between Birmingham City Council, Midland Heart and ourselves.

“The focus now is on submitting our planning application for the scheme, with the genuine hope of starting the development in early 2027, eventually delivering 95 high-quality homes alongside attractive landscaped areas and public open space to benefit the local community.”

The development forms part of a wider programme to deliver around 3000 new homes across key Birmingham sites and contributes to Midland Heart’s £295 million investment plan to build 1200 affordable homes in the city by 2028.

Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness at Birmingham City Council, added: “In the last year alone, the council has delivered 1000 affordable homes. 

“I am delighted to see that the plans for Tower Ballroom will continue that delivery by building 95 high-quality, affordable homes on such an attractive and historic site.”

Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.

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