In the ever-changing metropolis that is Birmingham City Centre, it may sometimes seem impossible to keep up with the new developments planned for the city.
With that in mind, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has put together a list of some of the biggest developments completed or announced this year to keep you in the loop.
The nine schemes cover everything from sport to cooking to banqueting and education. It looks like Birmingham’s transformation is continuing dramatically.
Here are nine big building developments for 2023:
1. The Ringway Centre
The new proposed development for the iconic Ringway Centre will see three huge buildings introduced to the site, ranging from 44 storeys up to 56 storeys. If the plans are accepted a total of 1,750 apartments will be provided as well as food and drinks outlets, a spa, a cinema, a gym and a nightclub. It would involve the demolition of the existing curved block, which was designed by James Roberts, the man behind Birmingham’s famous Rotunda – which has left many in Birmingham calling for the building to be retained. The plans will now go before a Birmingham City Council planning committee in 2023.
2. New MasterChef studios in Birmingham
MasterChef and the world-famous Peaky Blinders have found a new home as plans to make Birmingham the “new home of TV” are finally lodged. The plans, pioneered by Steven Knight the director of Peaky blinders, will see the iconic Banana Warehouse in Digbeth redefined into a TV studio, production offices, and new home of the BBC show, MasterChef. Hailed as the next bright chapter in The Digbeth Loc project and strategically located next to HS2, the TV studio will sit alongside huge new developments in Digbeth such as the new BBC Birmingham HQ at Typhoo Wharf and the new Creative Cluster at The Bond. Creating the facilities is set to enable a Peaky Blinders movie to be shot in 18 months to two years as well as being used for the pre-production, filming and post-production of all four formats of MasterChef.
3. BBC’s new home at Typhoo Wharf
The BBC is planning to relocate from its current home in the Mailbox to the old Typhoo Wharf warehouse in Digbeth which will be revamped. The landmark project will see a huge ten-acre plot of underutilised land around Typhoo Wharf and the surrounding canal basin transformed into a new mixed-use neighbourhood which could include new residential, office and hospitality accommodations. At the heart of this new cultural hub will be a brand new BBC building which developers say “will be instantly recognisable to everyone who travels into Birmingham on HS2, the tram or into our existing railway stations.” Submission of the new detailed planning application represents the first phase of a wider masterplan for the surrounding area.
4. Perry Barr Rail station
The new £30 million Perry Barr Train Station opened in the summer as part of Birmingham’s plans to upgrade infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games. Perry Barr is just a short 20-minute walk to Alexander Stadium which played host to the track and field events during the Commonwealth Games. The £30 million development makes up one portion of the government’s Perry Barr regeneration scheme. As part of plans agreed in February, £700 million worth of investment will be ploughed into the area. Ambitious plans include the redevelopment of Walsall Road and 1,400 homes being built as part of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme.