Plans to develop the Smithfield site – the former home of Birmingham wholesale markets – have been released, coinciding with the Smithfield masterplan – aimed at driving city’s international standing and reputation.

The Smithfield masterplan has been designed by Prior + Partners with James Corner Field Operations and will deliver 3,500 homes and 120,000m2 of workspaces and shops. Buildings have been designed by a number of leading architects including David Kohn Architects, RCKa, dRMM, Haworth Tompkins, Midlands architect Minesh Patel and Digbeth based practice Intervention Architecture.

The 14 hectares of land previously hosted the beach volleyball, basketball, and wheelchair basketball during the city’s Commonwealth Games , and since 2018 Birmingham Pride – the biggest LGBT+ festival in the UK.

Now new office spaces, markets, a roof garden, shops, a pub, and two new public squares will form part of a new city quarter in the southern parts of the city.

The two public squares – ‘Festival Square’ and ‘Market Square’ – will form a new connection between the Bull Ring, Digbeth and the Chinese Quarter.

Documents were registered by Birmingham city council on Wednesday afternoon (25 January) with the expectation plans will be delivered across multiple phases over an approximate 11-year period. Work is expected to commence this year, with completion anticipated in 2034.

The plans, estimated to cost £1.9 billion, have been called “central” to the wider, long-term transformation of Birmingham.

Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham city council, said: “Our vision for Smithfield, with the potential to create over 8,000 new jobs, is an important part of Birmingham’s Golden Decade of Opportunity.

“We showed the world a city on the up last summer and Birmingham Smithfield is a once in a generation opportunity that will further enhance our international standing and reputation. This is a bold, ambitious city – a city with a vision – and Birmingham Smithfield embodies our ambition.”

Members of the public can comment on the application here. The closing date is 23 February.

Image Credits: Oaker for Prior + Partners & Pixelflakes