Local practices and Stirling Prize-winners have been appointed to the first phase of a £1.9bn development in the centre of Birmingham and will see more than 3,000 homes built as well as offices, hotels, cafes and community facilities.
Now the developer has named the architects who will be designing the first stage of the work. The architects will work with market traders, local communities and businesses to design homes, workspaces and leisure and commercial spaces across the Smithfield Birmingham site.
Alongside masterplanner Prior+Partners and David Kohn Architects, who where appointed to design a new home for the historic Birmingham markets following an international design competition, those appointed for the first phase of the project include dRMM and Intervention Architecture, Haworth Tompkins and Minesh Patel Architects, RCKa and Intervention Architecture.
Birmingham-based Eastside Projects is also working in partnership with the teams, and is currently engaging with market traders and customers to help inform designs for the new market.
James Amos, development director at Lendlease, said: "Our chosen team of architects brings a fantastic blend of creativity, local talent and experience, alongside a clear commitment to sustainability.
"The design team is now developing initial proposals and in March we will begin formal consultation on the masterplan with local people, market traders and stakeholders to gather feedback on our ideas and help shape the best possible vision for Smithfield."
Consultation on the masterplan will commence in March 2022. Smithfield will feature a festival square and cultural quarter, alongside business and leisure space, including hotels, cafés, restaurants and bars. These developments are expected to create 8,000 jobs.
The plans also include space for more than 3,000 sustainable homes in a green setting, supported by a range of community facilities and Smithfield Park, which aims to improve wellbeing and biodiversity.
Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "Smithfield Birmingham is a real once in a lifetime opportunity to create a new community in the heart of our city, and we are really excited to be working with Lendlease Europe, who have an internationally proven track record for bringing forward major developments like this.
"This £1.9bn development means jobs, homes and opportunities for people across this city and Smithfield Birmingham will become a shining example of inclusive economic growth that will create a real legacy in the heart of Birmingham. We're keen that this scheme also celebrates our heritage and the historic Bull Ring Markets will be central to this development."
Following consultation, a planning application for the masterplan and phase one will be submitted to Birmingham City Council.
