Australian construction firm Lendlease has been selected by Birmingham City Council for a £1.5bn ($2.7bn) project to redevelop the 17-hectare Birmingham Smithfield site in the UK.
The company will form a joint venture with the council to create an urban quarter that will include a new home for the Bull Ring retail markets, a family destination including leisure and cultural offer, a new public square, integrated public transport and more than 2,000 homes with a public park and community facilities.
The redevelopment project is part of the city’s Big City Plan launched in 2010, which sets out a 25-year vision to grow the city centre by more than 25%.
Located adjacent to the Bullring and New Street Station, Birmingham Smithfield will be a short walk from the new High Speed 2 City Centre Terminus Station, which is set to open in 2026.
Lendlease has been selected following an OJEU Competitive Dialogue Procurement process.
The area is twice the size of Brindleyplace and its redevelopment is expected to be completed in 15 years.
The first phase of the scheme will include new homes, new retail markets building and public realm.
The council will work with Lendlease to finalise the terms of the partnership, commence the preparation of a planning application and produce a business plan for the redevelopment before the award of the Birmingham Smithfield Development Partner contract.
The contract is expected to be awarded by late 2019. Development is expected to commence in 2022.
The redevelopment site is part of the Birmingham City Centre Enterprise Zone, which was established in 2011 to unlock key city centre development sites and accelerate growth.
Previously, the company has delivered major developments across the UK, including the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, the 2012 Athletes’ Village.
Lendlease is currently working on International Quarter London commercial scheme in Stratford; over station development of Euston; and south London’s Elephant Park.
Recently, it was selected for Birmingham’s Perry Barr development, due for completion in 2022.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Image: Birmingham Smithfield International Sports Event. Photo: Courtesy of Birmingham City Council.
