Plans to demolish Birmingham’s historic indoor market at the Bullring have been approved, clearing the way for developer Hammerson’s next major city centre regeneration scheme.
The Edgbaston Street site will be redeveloped into a mixed-use project called Edgbaston Street Gardens, with the potential to deliver up to 745 flats or around 1,500 student bedrooms.
Demolition of the existing market and multi-storey car park is scheduled for late 2027, with construction expected to begin the following year.
Hammerson, which owns the Bullring and Grand Central, said it had worked with local stakeholders to grant an extended lease to market traders until 2027. The traders will then relocate to a new purpose-built market within the wider Smithfield development.
The property giant said the scheme will introduce new homes, landscaping, and public realm improvements designed to link Bullring with Digbeth and Smithfield, helping to tackle Birmingham’s shortage of affordable city housing.
Proposals were submitted three times to Birmingham City Council before finally being recommended for approval. The indoor market currently occupies the ground floor of Edgbaston Street Car Park, which will stay open while Hammerson finalises development plans.
Harry Badham, chief development and asset repositioning officer at Hammerson, said: “This planning consent for Edgbaston Street Gardens is a great outcome given the city’s needs and priorities, especially around housing. As long-term backers of Birmingham, we know the potential growth that is achieved with targeted investment and regeneration.”
from Construction Enquirer https://ift.tt/gvuHrGW