A £10.6 million cohousing scheme has celebrated a major construction milestone as 25 new apartments are created for the community in Birmingham.
Rupali Court, on Chain Walk near Six Ways Island in Lozells, has reached its highest point and a ceremony was held to mark the moment.
The development is Housing 21’s flagship cohousing scheme and is being built in partnership with Midlands-based Deeley Construction.
Cohousing communities are created and run by their residents, with each household having a self-contained private home, as well as shared community space.
It is scheduled for completion in 2026 with the residents expected to move in shortly after.
Stakeholders who have worked with the future residents to shape the scheme gathered to celebrate the construction milestone and the opening of the Rupali Court show home.
It is a unique cohousing initiative where the future residents are involved before construction to provide their feedback and input, helping to shape the design of the scheme.
The community will offer 25 apartments, including a residents’ lounge, a multi-faith room and landscaped community garden.
Residents are at the centre of all decisions made regarding the scheme. The Rupali Court Cohousing Core Group is a growing collective of engaged residents who are working together using consensus decision-making.
The group consists of 25 committed individuals who are actively involved in ongoing decisions about the design, management, and culture of their future home.
Future resident Marie Francis, who has lived in Lozells for over 30 years, said she was excited about Rupali Court reaching the milestone in construction.
“I am happy to see the scheme is almost complete; we are all excited to see the final design,” she said.
“I was involved in making decisions about the colour scheme of my apartment and the layout- I opted for an open plan layout. I’m now looking forward to moving in next year.”
Councillor Waseem Zaffar from Birmingham City Council also attended the event.
Martin Gallagher, Managing Director at Deeley Construction, said: “It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Housing 21 to bring forward its flagship co-housing scheme.
“This marks a major milestone for the innovative residential scheme, which will see the creation of a new inclusive and supportive housing community in Birmingham.
“The input from residents into the design has made this a truly unique project and we have worked with our design partners to bring their vision to life.”
Rupali Court is scheduled for completion in 2026 with the residents expected to move in shortly after.
Photo caption: L-R Steph Ramsden, David Clarke, Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Tony Tench, Bridget Faughnan-Bing, Dawn Carr, Martin Gallagher