It is designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the developer is Moda Living and the main contractor is John Sisk & Son.

[1] The building is 42 storeys in height, consisting of a 39-storey residential building (30 studios, 163 one bed, 260 two bed and 28 three-bedroom apartments) which sits on a three-storey podium with over 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2) of community amenity space.

[citation needed] The tower was scheduled to be presented before a planning committee in late August 2006.

[3] The application was presented again on 28 September and whilst it was originally deferred due to lack of information, concerns over height and payment of money under Section 106, it was later approved.

[6] The Mercian is the second tallest building in Birmingham following the topping out of the 155 metre tall, 49-storey skyscraper Octagon in 2024.