Birmingham City Council has decided to approve Hartwell Plc’s £100 million plans to transform a former ironworks in Digbeth into a landmark[{” attribute=”” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>mixed-use development.
Located at the gateway to Digbeth, the 2.8-acre (1.134-hectare) Phoenix Yard site is set to deliver 188,031 sq ft (17,467 sq m) of new creative, media and educational space, alongside commercial floorspace, a rooftop terrace with city views, 240 residential units, retail, public realm and high-quality landscaping. The scheme has been designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM).
The development targets high sustainability standards, aiming for BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC A, WELL certification, WiredScore Platinum, SmartScore accreditation, and at least 10% biodiversity net gain. Phoenix Yard supports the ambitions of Birmingham’s Our Future City Plan 2045 and is expected to generate around 200 construction jobs and more than 500 full-time equivalent roles upon completion.
Joanne Churchill, group property manager at Hartwell Plc, welcomed the Council’s decision: “It is welcome news that Birmingham City Council supports our Phoenix Yard vision and investment plans to create a landmark, mixed-use neighbourhood at the gateway to Digbeth. Phoenix Yard has been designed to complement the area’s character while enhancing its next chapter as a thriving, creative quarter.”
She added that the project represents a significant milestone for both Hartwell and the wider Digbeth area: “We received such positive feedback on our plans from stakeholders, businesses and the local community. We will now progress our plans to deliver new workspaces for creative, media and education organisations, new homes to meet local demand and reimagined public realm for everyone.”
Paul Monaghan, executive director and head of design studio at AHMM, said the project aims to combine respect for Digbeth’s industrial heritage with a forward-looking architectural approach: “From the start our work has been to ensure that we respect the site and area’s industrial heritage while delivering distinctive architecture, energy-efficient buildings and public spaces that are fit for the exciting future in which we find ourselves with Digbeth as a creative quarter.”
Phoenix Yard forms part of a broader wave of regeneration and infrastructure investment in Digbeth, including the Metro Eastside extension, future HS2 connectivity and the expansion of the district’s creative, digital and cultural industries. Major projects in the area include the BBC’s new headquarters at Typhoo Wharf and the £1.9 billion masterplan for Smithfield Market.
Hartwell Plc was advised on the project by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Ridge, Cundall, Hoare Lea, Macfarlane + Associates and Newmark.
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