Development Spotlight: Glasswater Locks

Glasswater Locks is a new waterside neighbourhood taking shape on a three acre brownfield site in Birmingham's Eastside.

Developed by St Joseph, a company within the Berkeley Group, it sits along the Digbeth Branch Canal on Belmont Row - close to the city centre, the Learning Quarter and the future HS2 Curzon Street station.

The development is one of the most significant regeneration projects currently underway in Birmingham, transforming a long disused industrial site into a mixed use community of homes, shops and public space.

• 762 total homes planned
• 155m canal frontage
• 20,000 sq ft commercial space
• Belmont Row, Birmingham, B4 7RQ

The homes at Glasswater Locks

Glasswater Locks offers a collection of one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes, all finished to a high specification.

Every home has been designed with an emphasis on light and space. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a standard feature throughout, drawing in natural daylight and framing views of the canal or the wider cityscape.

Interior specification

• Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout
• Open plan kitchen and living areas
• Integrated Bosch appliances in kitchens
• Composite stone worktops with matte black finishes
• Built in wardrobes to all bedrooms
• En-suite bathrooms in two bedroom homes
• Rain showers and designer bathroom fittings
• Neutral tones with high quality fixtures throughout
• 250 year leases with 10 year NHBC warranty

Pricing

One bedroom apartments start from around £260,000, with two bedroom homes available from approximately £335,000.

A selection of duplexes is also available within the development. Prices vary by phase, floor and outlook - canal facing units and upper floor homes command a premium.

Resident amenities at Glasswater Locks

St Joseph has invested heavily in communal facilities at Glasswater Locks, creating what they have branded the Canalside Club - a suite of on site amenities designed to support both work and leisure without residents needing to leave the development.

The Canalside Club

• 24 hour concierge and reception lobby
• State of the art Hyrox style gym
• Private cinema room
• Residents' lounge and social spaces
• Games room
• Co-working spaces and meeting rooms
• Secure cycle storage
• Elevated courtyard gardens for residents only

Externally, the development includes 155 metres of refurbished canal frontage with new walkways, outdoor seating and landscaped public space.

Plans include cafés, bars and restaurants at ground floor level, along with public art installations and interactive water features along the towpath.

The area: Birmingham Eastside

Glasswater Locks sits in Birmingham's Eastside - a part of the city centre undergoing significant change.

The development is positioned at the junction of the Learning Quarter and Digbeth, placing it within easy reach of universities, business districts and the city's emerging creative scene.

Education and Employment

• Four of Birmingham's five universities are within five miles of the site
• Aston University and Birmingham City University are both within walking distance
• Birmingham's £31.9 billion economy supports major employers including HSBC, PwC and Goldman Sachs
• Birmingham is the UK's largest legal and financial services centre outside London

Transport links

• Birmingham New Street Station - direct trains to London Euston, Glasgow and beyond
• HS2 Curzon Street station - approximately 8 minutes' walk from the development
• West Midlands Metro links nearby shopping and business areas
• Birmingham International Airport accessible by direct train from New Street
• 90% of the UK population within a four hour drive

Shopping, culture and leisure

Birmingham's city centre sits within easy reach of the development.

The Bullring and Grand Central offer access to over 200 retailers including John Lewis, Selfridges and major high street and luxury brands.

The Mailbox houses Harvey Nichols alongside restaurants and independent retailers.

Digbeth, immediately to the south, has grown into a hub for independent cafés, street food, creative studios and nightlife.

About the developer: St Joseph

St Joseph is one of five companies that form the Berkeley Group, one of the UK's best known and most established housebuilders.

The Berkeley Group is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 100 company and has held the title of Britain's most sustainable major housebuilder for eight consecutive years.

St Joseph focuses on urban regeneration projects, delivering well designed homes and new communities in city locations.

At Glasswater Locks, the company has taken a long disused brownfield site and is rebuilding it as a mixed use neighbourhood, working with Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Development Corporation throughout the process.

A topping out ceremony marking the completion of the first structural frames was held in late 2024, with representatives from all major stakeholders in attendance. The project is expected to complete in stages through to 2028.

Community and skills

• A local jobs and skills programme is running in partnership with The Skills Centre
• 122 people have received accredited training through the programme
• 51 local people have moved into paid employment as a direct result
• Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority are both active partners

Investment potential

Birmingham is consistently cited as one of the UK's strongest property markets outside London.

The city's large student population, high graduate retention rate and growing financial services sector create steady demand for well located rental accommodation. Eastside, in particular, is expected to benefit substantially from HS2 infrastructure investment and ongoing regeneration.

• Birmingham property prices have risen 21.5% over the past five years
• Rental yields at Glasswater Locks are anticipated at around 5.4%
• 49% of Birmingham students remain in the city after graduation
• Over 80,000 students currently study in Birmingham
• Eastside sits within a wider £1 billion regeneration zone

Find out more about Glasswater Locks

Interested in buying or investing at Glasswater Locks? Get in touch directly with St Joseph to find out about current availability, pricing and viewing appointments.