If approved, the £60 million project will feature a 29-storey tower clad in solar panels, housing nearly 250 co-living apartments.

Local developer and investor GNM Developments aims to transform a canalside site in the Gas Street Basin with this slender skyscraper, named ‘The Narrowhouse.’

Designed by architects Broadway Malyan, the building will incorporate over 4,000m² of integrated solar panels across its facades. Once complete, it is expected to produce more energy than its residents require, with surplus electricity feeding into a local microgrid to benefit the surrounding community.

Pending planning approval, construction of The Narrowhouse is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2028.

Gerald Manton, managing director of GNM Developments, emphasised the project’s significance, stating, “The Narrowhouse is more than just a building—it’s a statement about the future of sustainable urban living. This is a rare opportunity to establish Birmingham as a global leader in green development.”

Hugo Fitzgerald, principal at Broadway Malyan, highlighted the building’s innovative design: “The Narrowhouse is a groundbreaking project that we hope will set a new standard for energy-positive and ultra-slim high-rises. By incorporating reclaimed bricks from the original site into the podium and preserving the historic Toll House, the design respects Birmingham’s past while paving the way for a sustainable future.”