UK-based property development firm Hammerson has announced its plans to transform Martineau Galleries in Birmingham City Centre into a new mixed-use city center neighborhood.
Said to be the first major scheme put forward as part of Hammerson’s City Quarters concept, the proposed project will include up to 1,300 homes, including a 35-story building, and 1.4 million square feet (304,800 square meters) of commercial space, as well as a new city-center hotel, restaurants and cafes.
Hammerson, which owns and manages Bullring & Grand Central, said that the City Quarters will create mixed-use neighborhoods to deliver homes, workspace, leisure, cultural and educational space.
The 7.5-acre (3-hectare) site also includes a signature gateway to Birmingham from the proposed Curzon Street terminal and public realm, including a new public square and boulevard.
Hammerson development director Robin Dobson said, “We are pleased to share the plans for our first major City Quarters scheme for this strategically important site in the heart of the city.
“Martineau Galleries will be a new, vibrant neighborhood in the center of Birmingham, where we are already a long-term investor, with the Bullring Estate remaining one of the UK’s most successful destinations for both brands and consumers.
“Hammerson has a strong track record of creating great destinations, not just in Birmingham, but across Europe, and we look forward to finalizing our master plan, ahead of submission later this year.”
EPR Architects has designed the plan for the site, which currently includes The Square Shopping Centre, King’s Parade and Dale End (High Street) car park.
The development is expected to create 350 full-time construction jobs per year over the life of the demolition and construction phases.
Hammerson, following the public consultation, plans to submit an outline planning application to Birmingham City Council later this year.
About 8,000 new full-time jobs are expected to be created across the office-space, restaurants, and cafes, while the construction on the project is scheduled to commence in 2022.
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