Client: Galliford Try & Dandara Aston Place is a landmark residential development located in Birmingham’s Arena Central. The project comprises two towers of 21 and 25 storeys, connected at each floor by architectural bridges. Together, the towers provide 324 luxury apartments and 7,245 square feet of commercial space, creating a vibrant urban living environment. The development also features two basement levels, including a 500-space car park, enhancing accessibility for residents and visitors. Positioned next to the iconic Alpha Tower, Aston Place has transformed a formerly underutilised site into a high-profile residential hub, contributing to Birmingham’s city centre regeneration. With a project value of £41 million, Aston Place delivers much-needed housing, supporting both residential and economic growth within the city. Its striking architectural design has made it a prominent feature in Birmingham's skyline. Services we provided Transport Planning & Traffic Engineering Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Digital Engineering & BIM Geotechnical & Ground Engineering Ground Investigation & Land Quality Structural Engineering Our Role BWB played a pivotal role in delivering Aston Place, providing a comprehensive range of engineering and consultancy services. We delivered structural, civil, and geotechnical engineering services to support the design and construction of the twin towers and their shared basement. Our involvement began early, with ground investigation and transport planning, ensuring the development was both feasible and sustainable. Transport expertise Our transport team conducted a detailed Transport Assessment and a Digital Traffic Impact Assessment, helping model and mitigate potential traffic challenges around the development. We also supported the foundation design and retaining structures, ensuring the structural integrity of the building in close proximity to a Network Rail tunnel. Historic ground conditions A significant challenge our team addressed was the proximity of the building to the historic rail tunnel. Through extensive analysis, including the development of a 3D finite element model, we ensured that construction would not compromise the tunnel's stability, particularly its Victorian brick-lined section. This included continuous monitoring of the tunnel’s integrity during construction to prevent any disruption to the rail network. Structurally robust Our geotechnical and civil engineering teams ensured the site's complexities, including uneven lateral stresses and settlement risks, were managed effectively. By working closely with the project architects, Corstophine + Wright, we helped create a structurally robust and visually striking landmark for Birmingham.