Hammerson launches City Quarters concept at Martineau Galleries
Hammerson, which owns and manages Bullring & Grand Central, has set out its vision for the regeneration of Martineau Galleries in Birmingham city centre, the first major scheme to be brought forward as part of its City Quarters concept.
City Quarters will create vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods beyond pure retail to curate and deliver homes, workspace, leisure, cultural and educational space around Hammerson’s existing flagship retail destinations, in thriving locations around the UK and Ireland.
Proposals for the 7.5-acre site – which currently includes The Square shopping centre, Kin’s Parade and Dale End car park – include up to 1,300 homes and 1.4m sq ft of workspace that will offer opportunities for a range of businesses, as well as a new city centre hotel, restaurants and cafes. The scheme will also deliver a signature gateway to Birmingham from the proposed Curzon Street HS2 terminal (and high-quality public realm, including a new public square and boulevard.
Following public consultation, Hammerson intends to submit an outline planning application to Birmingham City Council later this year, with the aim of starting works in 2022.
Development director Robin Dobson said: “Martineau Galleries will be a new, vibrant neighbourhood in the centre of Birmingham, where we are already a long term investor, with the Bullring Estate remaining one of the UK’s most successful destinations for both brands and consumers. Hammerson has a strong track record of creating great destinations, not just in Birmingham but across Europe, and we look forward to finalising our masterplan, ahead of submission later this year.”
