The Construction of Exchange Square - Sept 2021 to Jan 2023

A review of the Exchange Square development from September 2021 to January 2023.

Exchange Square in Birmingham - how things have developed.

Here, we take a look at this huge development from September 2021 to present.

September 2021

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October 2021

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December 2021

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February 2022

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16th April 2022

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May 2022

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July 2022

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August 2022

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September 2022

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October 2022

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November 2022

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December 2022

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January 2023

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Photography by contributors to ItsYourBuild and BirminghamWeAre.

Please see the full construction photo gallery for this build here: Exchange Square Phase 1 & 2

Approval for HS2 Nerve Centre in Washwood Heath

A 30-acre site in Washwood Heath will be transformed into the nerve centre of the new High Speed railway line after plans were approved today (2 February 2023).

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Washwood Heath Depot is where HS2 trains will be maintained, serviced and stored when not in use.

The 30-acre site will be transformed into the nerve centre of the new High Speed railway line, creating 550 jobs in the process.

Three buildings will be built: a Maintenance Building depot, a Network Integrated Control Centre [NICC], and a cleaners’ and drivers’ [C&D] building – each incorporating solar panels, sustainable drainage, renewable energy & low carbon materials.

All three buildings have been designed to allow maximum accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, with dedicated routes connecting with Birmingham’s future transport network.

A contractor will be announced in autumn 2023.

Maintenance Building depot:

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Network Integrated Control Centre [NICC]:

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Cleaners’ and Drivers’ [C&D] building:

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In non HS2-related news, the wider underutilised site will continue its rich history of providing industrial employment with Aviva set to bring forward four new units – that application, which has been approved, can be viewed here.

Washwood Heath depot, CGIs from HS2's Engineering Delivery Partnership [EDP].

Approval Given To Historic Jewellery Quarter Site!

The transformation of a pair of historic Jewellery Quarter buildings to provide new residential and commercial space has been approved.

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Brought forward by Claremont Land and New Homes, Summer Hill House is to be sympathetically converted & rear new builds built to deliver 40 one-, two- & three-bedroom apartments & townhouses, along with two commercial units.

The grand old site on Summer Hill Terrace comprises two near-Victorian era properties that were built as children’s homes in the early 20th century.

Its historical aesthetic will be maintained before being carefully maximised through its conversion & the introduction of dormers to its roof slope.

Unsympathetic modern rear extensions will be removed to improve circulation before being remodelled with new 3 & 4-storey rear wings to each building; a 2-storey to the rear eastern boundary, and a detached 4-storey to accommodate 4 spacious townhouses.

A 2-storey side infill extension, designed as a coach house, will also be built and will house the two Class E commercial units. Once complete, Summer Hill House will also offer four affordable 'First Homes' at 30% discount

You can follow the development here with us.

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Summer Hill House, images from D5 Architects.

Drumming for Brum: Plans unveiled for new 200K SF hub

The former John Lewis store is to be reimagined into a major 200K SF modern workspace for up to 2,000 people – and will be rebranded to ‘Drum’.

Formal plans have been lodged and are now officially in.

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Enlivening the key gateway site, built on the principles of connectivity, amenities, and sustainability, the rethink reflects Hammerson’s strategy to reinvigorate its estate through new diversyfying uses while maximising the reuse of embodied carbon.

Bringing a new type of workspace to the city that meet the requirements for established and start-up businesses post-pandemic, all four floors will be transformed to facilitate a sweeping, open, communal entrance that widens as it rises.

This will also lead to a rooftop garden lounge and workplace garden, with internal green walls on each level giving the appearance of a garden spilling back down through the building.

Ground floor will become a 40K SF amenity destination with a combined hospitality space including a restaurant, bar and food market. Plans will also see a grocery, gym, wellbeing amenities, and flexible event spaces (eg: VR; live music; gallery space; exhibitions, etc.).

Subject to receiving planning consent, work is expected to begin later in the year, with the potential for completion sometime in 2025.

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Drum Grand Central, images from Make Architects and Macgregor Smith.

Plans for Birmingham Smithfield Are Now In!

EXCLUSIVE: Plans for Birmingham Smithfield are now in!

Detailed first phase plans include a new destination market, a state-of-the-art office, a health and wellbeing hub, and 547 new homes tailored for families.

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Here are the exciting plans for Birmingham Smithfield Phase 1, a once-in-a-lifetime £1.9b redevelopment from a Birmingham City Council & Lendlease Joint Venture.

Hybrid plans submitted in early December have now landed (in January!) and contain full detailed planning for Phase 1 and outline plans for future phases. These detailed plans include:

NEW MARKETS (Plots 5ABC) from David Kohn Architects and Eastside Projects

Bringing together the current Indoor and Rag Markets, this destination market will offer 13,301 sqm of spaces for live performances and events, day and night, along with places to eat, drink & socialise within the new dining hall and a landscaped rooftop garden overlooking Festival Square.

Located to the northern most point, the markets will provide maximum visibility for the new market areas from the commercial and retail heart of the city around the Bullring and St Martin’s Church.