Standing 15 storeys tall, and encompassing 144 homes, Inkerman House in Aston is Birmingham City Council’s largest social housing residence.
Built in the 1960s, it required a significant upgrade to meet modern standards.
Appointed by Birmingham City Council to deliver this £22 million project in 2021, WPS carried out a two-phase improvement programme – the first focusing on internal upgrades and the second on external refurbishments to improve resident safety.
The refurbishments are part of the council's ongoing investment of more than £200 million a year to provide better council homes for its tenants and to ensure they meet the right safety standards and energy performance for years to come.
The first phase of the programme focused on internal modernisation, with flats fully rewired throughout. This also included the installation of new fire doors, alarms, sprinklers and hot-water cylinders, alongside upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, and electrical heating were upgraded.
The second phase focused on external improvements, including the removal of the existing roof and installation of a new insulated system, external wall insulation and new double-glazed windows and balcony doors. Old cladding was replaced with compliant firebreaks, while stairwells and link areas received new curtain-wall systems and automatic opening vents.
Upgrades also included passive fire protection, PIV installation, extended sprinklers to balconies, improved external lighting and signage, and refreshed communal finishes. All fire safety measures were assessed by West Midlands Fire Authority to ensure fire safety measures, protocols and processed were robust.
WPS also delivered meaningful social value across the local community through activities supporting local schools, the Legacy Centre and raising over £20,000 for local charities. This collaborative approach led to a truly successful journey recognised by the Considered Constructors Scheme, with a perfect score of 45 out of 45.
Stewart Reid, Managing Director of Planned Maintenance at WPS, commented: “Inkerman House shows what’s possible when collaboration and care are at the heart of delivery. Despite the complexity, our priority has remained the same – to work safely, uphold the highest standards and put residents first. We recognise these are people’s homes, and we are grateful for the trust that the residents and Birmingham City Council has placed in us. The real success of this project is not just in the building, but in the lasting impact it creates – supporting a community that can thrive for years to come.”
Cllr Baber Baz, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: "I would like to thank our delivery partner, WPS, who have delivered the improvements efficiently and on time while supporting our tenants and keeping them informed.
“Inkerman House has been given a significant facelift, and residents have benefited from new kitchens and bathrooms in their flats, as well as better-insulated homes that will cut the cost of heating bills.
“We will be carrying on our investment into council homes across the city so that all our residents can live in warmer, safer, more comfortable homes."
