Sunday, 1 February 2026
Cordia UK has secured a £5.25 million Clean Growth Financing Initiative (CGFI) loan from Lloyds to support the redevelopment of Bradford Works in Birmingham. The financing will fund the conversion of a former industrial building into a shared living scheme as part of the developer’s wider Great Hampton Street Masterplan.
Bradford Works is located at the junction of Harford Street and Barr Street on the edge of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The project will redevelop a vacant industrial property into a 54-unit shared living scheme targeting postgraduate students and young professionals.
The CGFI facility is designed to support projects demonstrating measurable environmental performance, including improvements in energy efficiency, carbon reduction and responsible material use. According to the lender, the loan reflects the project’s retrofit-led approach and low-carbon design strategy.
The redevelopment includes the removal of a mansard roof, conversion of existing floors and basement space, and the addition of two new storeys clad in black terracotta with perforated metal detailing. The design aims to integrate contemporary materials while retaining the building’s historic structure, which dates back to the early 20th century when it was occupied by Fattorini & Sons Ltd.
By reusing the existing structure, the project reduces embodied carbon compared with full demolition and rebuild. The energy strategy includes a central air source heat pump system, localised ventilation, and a 37 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic installation, expected to generate approximately 34,600 kWh annually. Cordia estimates this will reduce carbon emissions by around 6.1 tonnes per year. All residential units are expected to achieve EPC A ratings.
Communal amenities will include co-working and wellness spaces in the basement, shared kitchens and lounges on residential floors, and a rooftop terrace. Rents will be all-inclusive, covering utilities and council tax, and are expected to be approximately 20% lower than average one-bedroom build-to-rent units in the area.
András Kárpáti, CEO of Cordia UK, said the project demonstrates how historic buildings can be adapted for contemporary residential use while improving energy performance.
Nigel Johns, Relationship Director at Lloyds, commented that projects such as Bradford Works support Birmingham’s regeneration objectives by reducing embodied carbon and delivering new housing within existing urban fabric.
Bradford Works forms part of Cordia UK’s broader development pipeline in Birmingham, where the company is focusing on refurbishment-led schemes and sustainability-driven residential projects.
