The Mercian, B15

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Handy for living in the city centre. Front door could do with working more often. Kirsty is one of the most wonderful concierges in the building. Always helpful and always so civil.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Maintenance team are brilliant! Rob in particular is always willing to help when needed.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

That the common area is not accessible to pets anymore. That changed after I had already moved in.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Convenient location, easy walking distance to Birmingham City Centre, New Street Station and Utilia Arena. Brindley Place is opposite the apartment complex with nice restaurants, and Mailbox is a short walk away as well.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Typically promptly. It's gotten better in the last couple of months with the new management.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Broad Street and Tennant Street can get noisy on the weekends

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I experienced something I will never forget at this apartment, and not in a good way. I was followed upstairs and attacked. The security here is appalling—practically non-existent. When guards are actually around, they are either sleeping or playing on their phones. On the day of the incident, the receptionist was a 19-year-old on his first job. He was so terrified by what happened that he quit and never came back.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The management and the police responded very quickly. However, nothing has actually been resolved. Security is still terrible, the front door is still broken, and the front desk is still empty.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Before I moved in, the website advertised a 24/7 concierge. After moving in, I realized there is basically no professional concierge at all—just security guards and fresh graduates or interns running the front desk.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Living in this neighborhood has been a fantastic experience overall, primarily due to the vibrant social scene. The area is packed with an incredible variety of bars, ranging from cozy, candlelit speakeasies and craft beer pubs to lively rooftop lounges with stunning city views. I really enjoy the convenience of being able to step out of my door and find a great spot to unwind or meet up with friends within just a few minutes.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes, Once we raised any issues, it will be sold within like two days, mostly in 24 hours.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The window’s design significantly restricts its opening range, allowing for only minimal airflow throughout the space. Consequently, during the peak of the summer heat, the lack of proper cross-ventilation causes the room to become stifling and uncomfortably hot.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area is fantastic, with plenty of bars nearby and a 24-hour convenience store just a five or six-minute walk away. Transportation is also very convenient, as there is a tram stop right downstairs, making it easy to get to both the city center and the university.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

all issues can be successfully resolved within a standard timeframe of 24 to 48 hours.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

the use of the barbecue facilities and the private dining area is not included in the standard rental fee and will incur extra charges.