[2] The current site was occupied by warehouse units, the Digbeth Branch Canal, a listed pub and pumping station.
On AB Row was a locally listed Victorian former Co-op furniture factory which was severely damaged on 11 January 2007 in a suspected arson attack.
The area has been hailed as the most important development scheme in Eastside by Birmingham City Council due to the variety of uses it will provide.
The scheme was relaunched at the 2008 MIPIM property show in Cannes, France, in March 2008 as Eastside Locks to reflect the canalside character of the site.
The rest of Eastside Locks is likely to consist of 325,000 sq ft (30,200 m2) of apartments, shops, leisure space and a hotel.