5 pictures of the BBC Birmingham and wider Digbeth masterplan

Plans for a new purpose-built property for the BBC were announced last year.

The broadcaster is opening a new centre in the heart of Digbeth’s creative quarter. It is expected to be ready for BBC staff to move into by 2026.

The new state-of-the art building will be known as ‘The Tea Factory’, reflecting the history and heritage of the current site, which is the old Typhoo Tea Factory. The name was chosen after staff members at BBC Birmingham were asked to suggest names for the building.

The BBC will be a catalyst for wider regeneration of Digbeth, and is expected to attract additional investment and production to the Midlands. The overall cost for the development has been reported to be £200 million. The redevelopment will cover Typhoo Wharf, the former Typhoo Tea building, and the adjoining canal basin where tea used to be brought to Birmingham from London.

The proposals suggest an extended metro line from Bull Street, down Carrs Lane, and into the HS2 site are also being considered. The line will enter Digbeth via New Canal Street and connect onto the Eastside metro extension. The metro line is said to compliment one of Birmingham’s first net zero buildings, with 100 cycle stands, an array of new cycle lanes, and specific parking for BBC broadcast vans.

The Digbeth master plan is expected to be delivered in stages. A planning application for the part-demolition and refurbishment of the historic Typhoo Tea building was submitted to Birmingham city council in September 2022.

Part of the application includes a new public route to the BBC Midlands hub; a public square; and a temporary pedestrian route to link HS2 Curzon Street station.

A wider master plan for the rest of Digbeth was also submitted in late 2022. It will include the demolition of some buildings; new commercial and residential buildings; and public realm improvements. Building work will take place in 2023 subject to planning permission.

There are also CGI images for the revamped Benacre Drive, close to the BBC Midlands hub.

Stuart Thomas, head of BBC Midlands, says: “This is the perfect home for the BBC in the Midlands, a building steeped in history now waiting to come back to life in one of the most up and coming, creative districts in the country.

“The re-imagined former Typhoo Factory will be far more visible for our audience, in a greener, more accessible and more flexible space. We can’t wait to take up residence there, continuing to build on what we do best making the news and programmes in the Midlands that we all really care about.”

Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, says: “I am incredibly excited that the BBC is starting a new chapter in the West Midlands with this major investment to create their greenest and most modern facility ever – right here in the heart of our region.

“Not only will their phenomenal new home at the former Typhoo Factory act as the catalyst for the wider regeneration of Digbeth to become a global creative quarter, but it will also act as a magnet for young creative talent right across the West Midlands and the wider UK.

“I am grateful to the director general Tim Davie for showing such confidence in the West Midlands, and for working with us to bring our ‘Memorandum Of Understanding’ to life.”

Let’s take a look at the pictures of the plans which have been released so far.