The Burj, Digbeth
The project in pictures
A landmark residential scheme in Birmingham’s regeneration corridor
The Burj, Digbeth is a contemporary residential development at the heart of one of Birmingham’s most ambitious regeneration zones. Within walking distance of key cultural and commercial destinations, the scheme forms part of a wider investment aimed at transforming Digbeth into a vibrant, modern urban community. Licata Building Systems were appointed to supply the external wall insulation and brick slip façade solution for the project.
The development comprises 160 high-specification one- and two-bedroom apartments, designed primarily for young professionals, with shared amenities including private balconies, communal roof terraces and landscaped courtyard spaces. Architecturally, the building was conceived to deliver a strong street presence while complementing the evolving character of the surrounding area — demanding a façade that combined long-term thermal efficiency with a high-quality brick aesthetic suited to a prominent city-centre location.
The brief
The façade design required a robust, high-performance system that would deliver long-term thermal efficiency while providing a high-quality brick finish appropriate to a landmark city-centre development. As a multi-storey, high-density residential building, acoustic performance and long-term durability were key priorities alongside thermal efficiency.
The system also had to integrate seamlessly with the building’s balconies, window openings and communal areas, maintaining visual consistency across the elevations while supporting efficient installation on a busy urban site.
The Licata system
Licata supplied a mineral wool external wall insulation system finished with brick slips. Mineral wool was selected for its excellent thermal performance, thermal and acoustic properties — ideally suited to a multi-storey residential building in an urban environment — providing a robust, breathable external envelope that improves energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
The outcome
The completed façade plays a key role in the overall success of the development, combining thermal efficiency, durability and a contemporary brick finish appropriate for a landmark residential scheme within Birmingham’s regeneration corridor. The brick slips provide the visual appearance of traditional masonry while benefiting from the reduced load and construction efficiencies of a lightweight façade system. Careful detailing and interface coordination ensured the EWI system integrated seamlessly with balconies, window openings and communal areas — producing a cohesive, visually striking façade that combines modern performance standards with a timeless brick aesthetic.
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