An opening date has been announced for the first phase of the long-running Beorma Quarter project in Digbeth.

The city's latest apart-hotel, to be operated by French chain Adagio, will launch on August 10 in Allison Street.

The 108-bedroom apart-hotel is only the chain's second in the UK - its first opened in 2013 in Liverpool - and joins a portfolio of venues across Europe, South America and the Middle East.

The new building (see gallery above) will have round-the-clock serviced accommodation and two-person studios and one-bedroom apartments.

Backed by Kuwaiti developer and investor Salhia, Beorma Quarter has been in the pipeline for the best part of a decade as continual planning and legal wrangles have dogged its progress.

This first phase, which has been built by BAM Construction, will also see the renovation of the Grade II-listed, former Digbeth Cold Storage building which is being converted into offices and an innovation centre.

A completion date for this element of phase one is yet to be announced.

Phase two, an application for which should be lodged this year, is likely to contain at least 50 per cent office accommodation.

Previous incarnations of the development included plans for a 27-storey tower which would have dominated the skyline south of the Bullring.

The new Adagio apart-hotel will pay homage to the history of Beorma, named after the seventh century Anglo-Saxon founder of the settlement which Birmingham has become, by featuring the markings of the ancient city Hersum Ditch within the main public space.

Vangelis Porikis, Adagio's director for central and northern Europe, said: "The UK continues to be a key market for growth and we are delighted to open our second property in the UK's second city.

"This will be followed by the highly anticipated openings in London and Edinburgh next year, the success of Adagio's growth is testament to our ability to innovate in hospitality and continually bring new ideas and offerings to our guests."

Dave Amans, general manager of the new complex, added: "Birmingham has undergone a tremendous transformation in recent years and the regeneration of the city continues into the Digbeth area.

"We are proud to be part of the city's ongoing story and look forward to welcoming business and leisure guests from the UK and internationally to this fantastic city."