Contractor wins race to build Commonwealth Games Village

Lendlease has been chosen to build the Commonwealth Games Village for the 2022 games in Birmingham.

The development, located on the site of the former Birmingham City University (BCU),will accommodate around 6,500 athletes and officials during the Commonwealth Games in 2022 before being used to provide 1,400 homes for the area.

Demolition of the former BCU buildings started in June and is due to complete shortly.

Proposals for the development, due to be considered by the council’s planning committee next month, include an extra care village for older people, retail and commercial space, and a new community centre.

Lendlease has a history in delivering infrastructure and sporting venues for international events and was the development and construction management partner for the London 2012 Olympic Village.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “It’s great to have Lendlease on board. They have an unmatched track record of delivering major projects like this on time and to the highest quality. I’m pleased to welcome them to the team and I have every confidence that they will work well with us to deliver a development that will be used for the Commonwealth Games Village that we can all be proud of in 2022 and beyond.”

Waheed Nazir, Birmingham City Council’s corporate director for economy, said: “I’m delighted by the progress we have made in delivering this fantastic scheme which will transform the heart of Perry Barr. We have made great strides since the Commonwealth Games were awarded to Birmingham in December 2017. In less than a year we have assembled all the land we need for the residential component of the development, nearly completed the demolition of the BCU buildings, designed the new development, submitted a planning application, and now appointed a principal contractor.

“This really does show how the public sector can deliver major redevelopment schemes at scale and pace.”