Developer outlines vision for future of Birmingham
One of Birmingham’s most active developers outlined his vision for future activity in the city at TheBusinessDesk.com’s recent Birmingham Property Networking Lunch.
Marcus Hawley, managing director of Cordia Blackswan, was speaking at the sold-out event at The Champagne Room on the 25th floor of The Cube.
To date, Cordia Blackswan’s activity has been centred on the redevelopment of redundant and under-utilised sites in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, where it is looking to deliver nine developments. Last Autumn, it revealed the name of its HQ on 22a Great Hampton Street in the city’s Jewellery Quarter as The Bank.
Formerly home to a Lloyds Bank, the building is being converted into a range of offices, with Cordia Blackswan taking space on the first floor for its own headquarters.
Alongside the office space, the 15,000 sq ft building will feature cafes and Cordia Blackswan also intends to fully refurbish the basement vault into a music venue as part of the renovation
On his company’s vision, Marcus said: “Birmingham holds a very special place for us and we are absolutely committed in supporting the city in realising its ambitions to be a contemporary, 21st Century destination.
“Great Hampton Street has the potential to be a truly outstanding location and a place that will both serve the residents of the area and attract visitors from across the city and beyond who want to come and experience the area for themselves.
“We believe that Great Hampton Street represents a prime opportunity to showcase our placemaking approach and support the growth of the Jewellery Quarter and create an appealing, contemporary urban setting for local people to enjoy for years to come.”
Great Hampton Street, which connects the Hockley area of the city to the Colmore Business District at Snowhill, was once a key gateway to the Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, but over recent years has suffered from underinvestment.
Featuring four lanes and as wide as Oxford Street, it currently forms a barrier for pedestrians travelling from the Jewellery Quarter, with few crossings.
Great Hampton Street is currently home to nine of Cordia Blackswan’s key developments, including the refurbishment of the former Gothic Pub into 50 apartments, construction of the Lamp Works BTR development and Bradford Works shared living HMO scheme.
