Lendlease selects architects for Smithfield Birmingham
11 Feb 2021
A host of international and local architects have been appointed to help reinvigorate the heart of Birmingham, as once in a generation plans for Smithfield Birmingham start to take shape.
The architects will work together with market traders, local communities and businesses to design homes, workspaces and leisure and commercial spaces across the 17 hectare city-centre site, which has green infrastructure and health and wellbeing at its core.
Alongside masterplanners Prior+Partners and David Kohn Architects, which was appointed to design a new home for the historic Birmingham markets following an international design competition, the architects appointed for the first phase of the project include:
- dRMM and Intervention Architecture
- Haworth Tompkins and Minesh Patel Architects
- RCKa and Intervention Architecture
Birmingham-based Eastside Projects is also working in partnership with the teams, and is currently engaging with market traders and customers to help inform designs for the new market. Celebrating the history of Birmingham and its roots as the ‘city of a thousand trades’, the vibrant new market will be a colourful and lively destination with a distinct day and night-time feel.
Commenting on the appointments, James Amos, Development Director at Lendlease, said: “Our chosen team of architects brings a fantastic blend of creativity, local talent and experience, alongside a clear commitment to sustainability.
“The design team is now developing initial proposals and in March we will begin formal consultation on the masterplan with local people, market traders and stakeholders to gather feedback on our ideas and help shape the best possible vision for Smithfield.”
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."
Consultation on the Lendlease masterplan will commence in March 2022 and will provide an opportunity for people across Birmingham to directly engage and shape the future of the site, initially starting with a series of drop-in events.
Smithfield will be a dynamic place with something for everyone. At the heart of this is a festival square and cultural quarter that will allow Birmingham’s musical and artistic communities to come together and put on live performances for all ages.
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.
Following consultation with the local community, a planning application for the masterplan and phase one will be submitted to Birmingham City Council.