One of Birmingham's largest regeneration projects is set for a change of direction after developers revealed plans to build new residential accommodation.
The £700 million Paradise project in Chamberlain Square has always been billed as an office-led scheme with additional retail and leisure space.
But the development team is now lining up a planning application to contain a residential element in the third phase, to be housed at the northern edge of the site next to Summer Row.
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Details are light at this stage other than there will be more than 300 units which will be available for rent only.
This is the first time the Paradise team has introduced residential aspects to the project, saying the change of course was "in response to market demand for high-quality city centre living".
A consultation is due to be held later this spring ahead of a full planning application being lodged with Birmingham City Council.
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Phase one of Paradise, which is due to be completed this year, comprises office blocks One and Two Chamberlain Square, redrawn traffic routes around the old Paradise Circus island, new public realm and pedestrian walkways.
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Phase two comprises office building One Centenary Way, construction work on which started at the end of last year, a second office building called Three Chamberlain Square and a 22-storey, four-star replacement for the Copthorne Hotel containing around 250 bedrooms.
The Copthorne and 1980s office block 77 Paradise Circus Queensway will then be demolished to make way for phase three, set to comprise up to five buildings including this new residential element.
Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects, which has already designed other parts of the regeneration, is working on the residential building.
It is expected to be finished in 2023, subject to receiving planning consent, while the entire scheme is due to finish in 2028.
Rob Groves, regional director with Paradise development manager Argent, said: "This proposed change to the Paradise masterplan will enable the development to become truly mixed-use with commercial, retail, leisure and residential elements all working side by side across the site.
"The demand for very high-quality residential buildings alongside places where people work and spend their leisure time is critical to the long-term success and sustainability of major cities like Birmingham.
"But this mix should always happen in the right places at the right time which is precisely why we are bringing forward this proposed change now in this particular part of our overall site."
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The current outline planning permission, approved in 2013, includes provision for up to ten commercial buildings totalling up to two million square ft of space.
£700m Paradise Birmingham project
Chris Taylor, head of private markets at project funder Federated Hermes, added: "Paradise is about delivering long-term holistic returns by working in partnership with the public sector to deliver outstanding outcomes for Birmingham city centre.
"We must respond to market demands and this proposed building is a reflection of that fact.
"All along, our aim has been to bring the very best possible scheme to Birmingham to ensure that Paradise is genuinely mixed use and that it offers a high standard of commercial, residential and food and beverage.
"We want everyone in Birmingham to feel proud of Paradise, as well as share in its success through the creation of job and skills opportunities.
"This change of use will enable Paradise to more fully fulfil that promise and contribute to an ever growing yet sustainable and attractive city centre to the benefit of everyone who lives and works in the city."