The Octagon, Birmingham’s tallest building and the city’s first official skyscraper, has reached its highest point of construction, marking a major milestone in the development of this iconic new landmark. The 155-meter tall tower, which boasts a world-first octagonal design, now stands 49 storeys high and is set to redefine the city’s skyline.
The Octagon, a £110 million project, will offer residents views across Birmingham, with the first Build to Rent (BTR) apartments expected to become available in late summer 2025.
Backed by global real estate investor City Developments Ltd (CDL) from Singapore, the tower’s construction is being handled by high-rise specialist Midgard, part of the JRL Group, and designed by Birmingham architects Howells.
The building is a key part of Birmingham’s £1.2 billion Paradise estate, which is being developed by MEPC. The wider Paradise project includes up to 10 new buildings, three public squares, pedestrian links, and thousands of jobs at the heart of the city.
To celebrate the Topping Out of The Octagon, principal partners CDL, MEPC, and Midgard, along with the project team and other stakeholders, gathered at the top of the building.
In addition to the ceremony, there were several events, including a “Vertical Mile” charity run that raised over £4,500 for Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The run saw over 70 participants, including teams from CDL, Midgard, Howells, and other partners. The winning team was from Howells, and individual runner Jamie Parish completed the climb in just 5 minutes and 7 seconds.
Neil McGinty, Director at CDL, reflected on the importance of the project: “Our original investment in The Octagon was recognized as one of the largest pieces of foreign direct investment in the UK regions in recent years. This project demonstrates our commitment to making Birmingham a world-class international destination with a strong regional economy.”
McGinty added that The Octagon is not only about investment but also creating a lasting landmark for Birmingham. “With its unique design and sustainable ethos, The Octagon will provide some of the finest city center homes in the UK, becoming a defining feature of Birmingham’s skyline for years to come.”
The Octagon’s distinctive 360-degree design means it engages with all areas of the city, offering one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with views through 10.5-meter-wide windows on each side of the building.
Ross Fittall, Commercial Development Director at MEPC, praised the collaborative effort that has gone into making The Octagon a reality: “The topping out of The Octagon is not just a momentous occasion for Paradise, but for the entire city. This building will further enhance Birmingham’s growing reputation, both locally and internationally, while delivering hundreds of much-needed homes.”
He added, “The Octagon is a crucial part of the next phase of Paradise, which is also bringing new commercial buildings and public spaces to the city, ensuring Paradise is a vibrant place to live, work, and visit all year round.”
Earlier this year, the pair of tower cranes on site reached their final height of 189 meters—more than twice the height of the Statue of Liberty.
Kevin Keegan, Director at Midgard, expressed his pride in the project’s progress: “Midgard is incredibly proud to be delivering this landmark for Birmingham. Today’s milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the expertise and collaboration of the entire team working to bring this complex building to life.”
He added, “We’re looking forward to completing the fit-out and final touches over the next year, and we’re excited to welcome residents to The Octagon in late summer 2025.”
Image credit: Paradise Birmingham.
