Initial designs for first phase of Smithfield Birmingham set to be unveiled
Emerging designs for Smithfield Birmingham are set to be unveiled as part of the next phase of public consultation on the £1.9bn landmark regeneration project.
People from across Birmingham are being asked to come along and have their say on proposals for the first phase of the site at a public drop-in event on Tuesday 14 June (3-8pm) at St Martin’s Church, Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, B5 5BB. The draft plans and opportunities to provide feedback will also be available on our proposals web page.
The event will provide a first look at initial designs for the new home for the historic Bull Ring Markets as well as sustainable and modern offices and homes in a green setting, along with a new vibrant public realm including a festival square surrounded by cafés, restaurants and bars. The initial phase is earmarked for completion by 2027.
Following consultation on the Smithfield masterplan earlier this year, the public drop-in event forms part of a major programme of consultation with market traders, local communities and businesses.
In recent weeks this has included workshops and drop-in feedback sessions with market traders and customers, as well as forming a youth panel to gather views from young people across Birmingham’s diverse communities.
Over the coming months, the project team will be working with the panel to explore a range of subjects, from green space and wellbeing to leisure, culture and events to determine what they want to see from Smithfield.
Commenting on the next phase of consultation, James Amos, Development Director at Lendlease, said:
“We would like to thank everyone who responded to our masterplan consultation earlier this year. We’ve seen first hand people’s passion for the city and their desire for Smithfield to deliver a long-lasting legacy.
“Our team of international and local architects have been hard at work developing innovative proposals for the first phase of development, and this next phase of consultation provides an opportunity for people to view and comment on initial designs.”
Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:
“Smithfield Birmingham is a real once in a lifetime opportunity to create a new community in the heart of our city – and we are really excited to be working with Lendlease Europe, who have an internationally proven track record for bringing forward major developments like this.
“This £1.9bn development means jobs, homes and opportunities for people across this city and Smithfield Birmingham will become a shining example of inclusive economic growth that will create a real legacy in the heart of Birmingham. We’re keen that this scheme also celebrates our heritage and the historic Bull Ring Markets will be central to this development."
Proposals for Smithfield are being prepared by Birmingham City Council’s appointed partner on the scheme, which is Lendlease, an international real estate and investment group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating strong and connected communities. The 17-hectare development will anchor an expanded city centre, helping to accelerate a wider transformation of Birmingham and support long-term economic and social prosperity within the region.
Alongside this will be business and leisure space, including hotels, cafés, restaurants and bars, helping to create a range of new employment and training opportunities including an estimated 8,000 jobs.
The plans also include space for over 3,000 sustainable and modern homes in a green setting, supported by a range of community facilities and Smithfield Park, which will improve wellbeing and biodiversity. Major improvements to accessibility will stitch the area into the wider city, including the creation of new and improved walking and cycling routes, as well as a green pedestrian boulevard helping to connect the Bull Ring to the wider city centre and sustainable transport connections.
Alongside masterplanners Prior+Partners and David Kohn Architects, which was appointed to design a new home for the historic Bull Ring Markets following an international design competition, the design team working on the first phase includes:
- dRMM and Intervention Architecture
- Haworth Tompkins and Minesh Patel Architects
- RCKa and Intervention Architecture
Members of the design team will on hand to answer questions and listen to comments at the event. All proposals shared at the event will be published online with the opportunity to provide feedback via the website, and ten libraries across Birmingham will also have hard copy consultation materials and feedback forms available.
Following consultation with the local community, a planning application for the masterplan and phase one will be submitted to Birmingham City Council.