Groundworks have begun on what will become Birmingham’s tallest residential tower, previously known as 212 Broad Street.

Now named the Mercian, the 42-storey build-to-rent block will host 481 flats and is set to open in 2022.

Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the tower is being built by Dublin-headquartered contractor John Sisk, which was recently thrown off the government’s Prompt Payment Code – a voluntary agreement designed to encourage signatory firms to pay suppliers on time – for non-compliance and failing to agree an action plan.