'Phenomenal response' to Brierley Hill luxury apartments

More than a third of new luxury apartments created in a multi-million pound transformation of a deserted office block have already been snapped up.

Developers have hailed a 'phenomenal response' from buyers to the scheme for 181 flats at the former Point North at the Waterfront in Brierley Hill.

It comes as work to convert the former office building into the newly-named The Landmark apartment block begins this week.

The project is expected to take a year.

Phil Carlin, managing director of Seven Capital, said: "We are up to about a third of the apartments which have now been sold. It is a phenomenal response.

"We've had people calling us up from all over the place, including those from the local area who have read about it in the newspaper.

"Usually we would be selling to investors before a project is complete, but we've had many owner occupier buyers who live locally.

"Many people already know of the building and they are attracted by the setting and what we are doing."

Seven Capital Managing Director Phil Carlin outside the Iconic North Point building at Waterfront East, Merry Hill, which will soon be turned into luxury apartments

The total resale value of the properties will be more than £20 million, with prices starting at £83,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

The seven-storey office block will consist of 136 one-bed flats, 37 two-beds and eight studios including six rooftop penthouse apartments.

The building has stood empty for five years after insurance firm Egg moved out.

It was set to become West Bromwich Building Society's new headquarters, but the firm pulled out, opting for a site elsewhere.

Hoardings were going up around the building this week to make the site safe ahead of work.

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Mr Carlin said: "Everything is going according to plan, we're looking forward to the completed project and seeing people living inside the building.

"We believe it is a fantastic opportunity for buyers."

The developers received planning permission for the office conversion from Dudley Council last year.

It is hoped the apartments will help regenerate the area, which was a thriving business centre 15 years ago.