MIPIM 2013: Birmingham’s Eastside develops routes into city’s creative side
THE economic benefits produced by Birmingham’s new transport links will transform its Eastside district into a renowned centre for business, culture and education – which the city will be showcasing at MIPIM today.
At 170 hectares, Eastside is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK. Led by the city’s new HS2 terminus, it will become a central hub for the UK’s transport network and an international platform to welcome new visitors and businesses, thanks to the projected high-speed rail link to Birmingham Airport.
Eastside is also located within the city centre’s new Enterprise Zone, which can offer benefits including business rates relief, simplified planning and improved broadband for companies in the creative industries, ICT and digital media sectors.
Combined with the area’s projected new transport links, an unprecedented level of cultural developments are set to propel Eastside into a major UK creative centre. With visitor numbers rising by 10% over the last six years, it is earmarked to welcome more culture enthusiasts thanks to proposals for a new museum quarter.
The site’s reputation as a knowledge base also continues to grow. Birmingham City University’s new £125m campus in Eastside, opening from September 2013, joins nearby Aston University, Birmingham Metropolitan College and Birmingham Ormiston Academy to create a critical mass of learning in the area, adding to the 97,000 highly-skilled graduates produced by the wider region each year.
Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The on-going regeneration of Eastside will create an unrivalled cultural, academic and creative centre within easy reach of audiences across the UK and Europe.
“It highlights how the development of new transport links, digital connections and infrastructure will help Birmingham become a leading international destination for new visitors and businesses.”
The on-going regeneration of Eastside will be discussed during international property show MIPIM, at an event focusing on how transport infrastructure is crucial to attracting new developments and investment.
Glenn Howells, director of Glenn Howells Architects, is speaking at the event with Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Airport and developer Nikal. He said: “Eastside is an exemplar of how the city is transforming to prepare itself for an economically challenging yet exciting future.
“The level of investment and interest from both public and private sectors, coupled with an unprecedented relationship between education, transport, culture and business is making the emerging Eastside a vital part of Birmingham’s global offer.”
Eastside’s transformation is already well underway. Birmingham’s first city park for 130 years opened there in December 2012 while Exchange Square, part of Nikal’s cutting-edge Masshouse scheme, launched last month. Exchange Square incorporates 650,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and 150,000 sq ft of hotel and residential accommodation.
Nick Payne, development director of Nikal, said: “We are exceedingly proud to be leading the regeneration of Birmingham through the delivery of key strategic sites such as Masshouse Plaza and Exchange Square, and hope to continue to play a key role in the future development of the city.”
