Birmingham's Leafy Estate Grapples With Tower Blight Amid Property Boom
In a picturesque corner of Birmingham, residents of an exclusive estate are confronting an unexpected urban eyesore that threatens their tranquil environment. The tree-lined Frederick Road, situated just moments from the bustling Five Ways Island, represents one of the city's most desirable residential addresses with its grand homes and meticulously maintained gardens.
Property Values Soar While Derelict Tower Looms
The Five Ways South and Calthorpe Park area has experienced remarkable property growth, with house prices surging by an astonishing 112.3% between 2024 and 2025. This dramatic increase reflects the neighbourhood's appeal, characterised by its village-like atmosphere within easy reach of Birmingham's city centre.
However, this prosperity is overshadowed by the persistent presence of the 23-storey Five Ways Tower at the bottom of Frederick Road. The 260-foot abandoned office block, which has stood empty for two decades since its closure in 2005, presents a stark contrast to the surrounding elegance. Originally condemned as a sick building after office workers fell ill due to poor ventilation and design flaws, the structure now stands with broken windows, creating what residents describe as an urban blight.
Resident Outrage and Council Pressure
Long-term residents have expressed profound frustration with the situation. One Frederick Road inhabitant, who has lived in the area for over thirty years, offered a stark comparison: "It looks like Gaza. I fail to understand why Birmingham City Council don't get off their backside and do something about it. If we have people come to stay with us, that is the first thing they notice."
A retired banker neighbour echoed this sentiment, urging authorities to "get a move on" with resolving the issue. The Calthorpe Estate, which encompasses 1,600 acres including Frederick Road, operates under specific regulations designed to preserve the area's distinctive character, making the derelict tower particularly jarring for residents.
Ownership Complexities and Redevelopment Plans
Despite widespread calls for Birmingham City Council intervention, the land is actually owned by Calthorpe Estates, while the leaseholder, The Corbally Group (Edgbaston) Ltd, acquired the property in 2016. A spokesperson for Calthorpe Estates confirmed ongoing collaboration, stating: "Five Ways Tower is a significant site within the estate, and we are working closely with the long leaseholder to bring forward scheduled future redevelopment."
Meanwhile, developer Osborne+Co has proposed demolishing the existing structure to make way for a modern building of similar scale, accompanied by two smaller residential or student accommodation blocks. This potential redevelopment offers hope for resolving the longstanding issue, though residents remain concerned about the timeline and final outcome.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between private ownership, local authority responsibility, and community expectations in urban regeneration projects. As property values continue to rise in this sought-after Birmingham neighbourhood, residents await concrete action to restore the visual harmony of their exclusive estate.
