Birmingham council choose Lendlease for £1.5bn regeneration project

Birmingham City Council has announced Lendlease as its development partner to deliver the £1.5bn Birmingham Smithfield regeneration project.

Lendlease will form a contractual joint venture with Birmingham City Council and lead the creation of an urban quarter that includes a new home for the city’s historic Bull Ring retail markets, a family destination including a 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 42-acre Smithfield 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%.

Council leader Ian Ward said: ‘We are extremely excited to be working with Lendlease who are an internationally leading developer with a proven track record of bringing forward major development schemes.

‘The delivery of Birmingham Smithfield will be a major boost for Birmingham. With the new cultural and leisure attractions, the public realm, new homes and retail markets the development will appeal to both national and international audiences.

‘Alongside these fantastic new facilities, the development will also deliver substantial benefits for the people of Birmingham. This scheme will create a legacy for the citizens of Birmingham and become an exemplar for inclusive economic growth.’

Lendlease has completed major developments across the UK including the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, the London 2012 Athletes’ Village and is continuing work on International Quarter London, a major commercial scheme in Stratford.

Dan Labbad, chief executive of Lendlease Europe, said: ‘Smithfield is the birthplace of Birmingham, known for its markets which have always been at the heart of the city. Much like Birmingham itself, the area is brimming with creativity and opportunity.

‘Our plans for the redevelopment will respect this heritage and bring more jobs, homes and environmental benefits to the area and the people of Birmingham.’

The redevelopment of the area is expected to take 15 years to complete and the first phase of the scheme will include new homes, the new retail markets building and public realm.