A prominent piece of Birmingham's architectural heritage has hit the market, offering a rare development opportunity in the heart of the city. The former Birmingham Skin Hospital, a Grade II-listed Victorian building at 71-79 John Bright Street, is now available for purchase with full planning permission already secured to transform it into 15 luxury apartments.
A Historic City Centre Landmark
This iconic property first opened its doors in 1888, during a period of significant civic expansion for Birmingham. Built in the distinctive Queen Anne style by architects James and Lister Lea – who were better known for their pub designs – the building has been a local landmark for over a century. The prominent '1881' date displayed at the third-floor level commemorates the hospital's original founding on a different site a few streets away.
The property is currently listed on the SAVE's Buildings at Risk register, which praises its architectural features including "a mighty concave cupola" above the main entrance and "painted stonework on gables and window pediments" that provide "a decorative flourish against an expanse of red brick".
Prime Location and Development Potential
James Mattin, managing director of Bond Wolfe, highlighted the building's unique appeal to potential buyers and developers. "This is a fantastic opportunity to bring an iconic and historic city centre building back to life in a great location," he stated.
The building's unusual layout with walkways and its prime city centre position are significant advantages. It's located just two minutes' walk from Birmingham New Street Station and the Grand Central Shopping Centre, with the Bullring Shopping Centre only a six-minute walk away.
The current owners have already completed the crucial preliminary work, having secured both full planning permission and listed building consent for the development. The proposed conversion would create 15 luxury apartments providing 11,357 square feet of accommodation.
Ready for Transformation
Having stood vacant since 2014, the property has been internally stripped and is now ready for development to begin. The building retains many of its original historic features, including the rather macabre preservation of the hospital's original mortuary table in the basement.
"The property has been stripped internally and is ready for development, providing the new owners with a great chance to create something truly special," added Mr Mattin.
The asking price for this unique development opportunity is set at £1.5 million. Interested parties can contact James Mattin at jmattin@bondwolfe.com or call Bond Wolfe's commercial agency team on 0121 525 0600 for further information.
