The Challenge
Lower Essex Street is a large Build-to-Rent development in Birmingham, featuring 627 apartments across three new buildings and 20,000 sq ft of commercial space. The scheme includes shared amenities such as roof gardens, a communal courtyard and a clubhouse, all of which required a mortar solution capable of delivering strong structural performance and a consistent visual finish.
However, the project presented several significant challenges. The site’s restricted city-centre footprint offered very limited space for storage and material handling, making traditional on site mixing difficult to manage. The architectural specification also called for coloured mortar that would provide uniformity across all elevations, adding further pressure to ensure consistent quality and colour control. In addition to these technical requirements, the location created practical constraints around access and delivery scheduling, requiring precise coordination and a responsive supply approach.
The Solution
Marshalls was selected as the mortar supplier due to its established Birmingham supply network, technical understanding and ability to manufacture Ready Mix Mortar in bespoke colours. Although Callan Construction typically uses Dry Silo Mortar in the London market, they chose Ready Mix Mortar for this development because it offered clear advantages for the site conditions. With no need for on site mixing, the team was able to reduce waste, improve site efficiency and guarantee consistent colour and strength throughout the project—an essential requirement given the architectural design.
Throughout the delivery phase, Marshalls worked closely with Contracts Manager Steve Brown and Project Manager Kieran McElmeel to manage scheduling, coordinate deliveries and respond quickly to any access-related delays. While the contractor does not currently use the Marshalls MyAccount digital ordering platform, all orders and communication were effectively managed through the regional office, ensuring fast, clear and reliable service.
This collaborative approach resulted in a smooth and successful supply operation. The Ready Mix Mortar delivered the required performance and aesthetic consistency while helping to minimise logistical challenges on the constrained site. Despite occasional delivery delays linked to the city-centre location, these were resolved quickly through open communication and teamwork. The project was completed to specification, and Callan Construction expressed high satisfaction with both product quality and service - confirming their intention to continue using Marshalls Ready Mix Mortar on future developments
