Green light for Hartwell’s £100 million mixed-use Phoenix Yard regeneration scheme at the gateway to Digbeth
Plans for regenerating a former ironworks in Digbeth to deliver a landmark £100 million mixed-use scheme submitted by Hartwell Plc, the automotive and property development company, have been resolved to be approved by Birmingham City Council.
Situated at the gateway to Digbeth, one of the city’s most culturally significant districts, the site totals 2.8-acres (1.134 hectares).
The plans by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris will deliver 188,031 sq ft (17,467 sq m) NIA of new creative, media and educational space, commercial floorspace with a roof terrace with views over the city, 240 new homes units, retail, public realm and high-quality landscaping.
Sustainability targets across the site will include BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC A rating, WELL certification, WiredScore Platinum, SmartScore, and a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.
The development, which supports Birmingham’s Our Future City Plan 2045, is expected to deliver approximately 200 construction jobs, create more than 500 full-time equivalent positions and attract new residents to provide both a social and economic boost to the area.
Joanne Churchill, group property manager, Hartwell Plc said: “It is welcome news that Birmingham City Council supports our Phoenix Yard vision and investment plans to create a landmark, mixed-use neighbourhood at the gateway to Digbeth. Phoenix Yard has been designed to complement the area’s character while enhancing its next chapter as a thriving, creative quarter.
“This is a major milestone for Hartwell and a significant step for Digbeth. We received such positive feedback on our plans from not only stakeholders and businesses but also the local community. We will now progress our plans to deliver new workspaces for creative, media and education organisations, new homes to meet local demand and reimagined public realm for everyone. We look forward to working closely with the Council, local partners and the community as we move into the next phase.”
Paul Monaghan, executive director, head of design studio, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris added: “This is welcome news for our client, their vision for this project and the people who will work, live and visit Phoenix Yard. From the start our work has been to ensure that we respect the site and area’s industrial heritage while delivering distinctive architecture, energy-efficient buildings and public spaces that are fit for the exciting future in which we find ourselves with Digbeth as a creative quarter. Phoenix Yard complements Digbeth’s distinctive identity while contributing positively to the evolving place.”
Phoenix Yard forms part of a wider regeneration and infrastructure investment in Digbeth, which will include new transport connectivity with the new Metro Eastside expansion and HS2, and the continued growth of creative, digital and cultural industries such as the BBC's new multi-million-pound headquarters at Typhoo Wharf and the £1.9 billion masterplan for Smithfield Market.
Acting on behalf of Hartwell were Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Ridge, Cundall, Hoare Lea, Macfarlane + Associates and Newmark.
