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University chiefs are celebrating after reaching a milestone in the development of new students halls - offering spectacular views of the city.

A topping-out ceremony was held at the University of Birmingham’s new Chamberlain Hall, a 21-storey tower and three smaller blocks, now dominating Edgbaston’s skyline from Church Road.

Friends and neighbours of the university were among guests on the roof to see vice-chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood lay the final concrete.

Lesley Stewart, director of residential and environmental services at the University said: “We have an ongoing commitment to invest in our accommodation stock to ensure students coming to Birmingham have outstanding homes to live in, to get their university lives off to a flying start. The redevelopment of Chamberlain is the latest project to come to fruition after many years of hard work. The tower looks wonderful, and I look forward to welcoming the first residents of the new Chamberlain this autumn.”

The facility, due to open this autumn, will be home to more than 700 first year students and replaces the old Chamberlain Hall tower which closed in 2006.

It was built more than 50 years ago and was condemned for not offering modern enough facilities.