Enhancing Edgbaston - a strategic vision

Birmingham Post Regeneration Supplement - February 2006

Creating the best place to live and work is no easy task but one which is being undertaken to enhance Edgbaston. This vision is the foundation for Calthorpe Estates’ regeneration activity, which aims to deliver the best possible future for the area and its residents and commercial occupiers.

Calthorpe Estates’ strategic vision of regeneration encompasses a wide variety of elements, ranging from improvements to the physical landscape, enhancements to the social infrastructure, driving forward sustainable employment opportunities and stimulating economic and environmental developments.

The flagship £90 million University Science Park Pebble Mill is one such project being developed to create 12 acres of international research and development facilities for the life science industries.

Pivotal to the growth strategy of the region, the new science park will stimulate the employment sector by developing a new sustainable skills base and creating an estimated 1500 new jobs.

Its location in proximity to two of the UK’s leading institutions, the University of Birmingham and Aston University, will help to create a unique synergy between the institutions, which will cultivate and stimulate advances in the biomedical industry.

As a true centre of excellence, University Science Park, Pebble Mill will help to elevate the city’s status and underline international recognition and appeal.

The scheme forms a link in the Central Technology Belt, a technology corridor running along the A38 from Aston Science Park to Malvern Science Park – which was identified as a priority for development by the Rover task force.

Demolition of the site is complete and infrastructure work has commenced on the joint venture between Calthorpe Estates, Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and the Central Technology Belt. Final completion for the science park is scheduled for 2012.

Employment, and in particular people’s working lives, is the focus for the new Calthorpe House development on Calthorpe Road, which incorporates a strong environmental element.

Heralding a new future for commercial office space in Birmingham, the £37 million project will develop a contemporary building which will create the vision of working life in years to come.

With its location close to Five Ways, the 9,530 sq m of new state of the art Grade A offices also signals the major transformation of an important gateway to the city. The scheme will set the standard for others to follow by aiming to achieve a BREEM rating of ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’.

Boasting a prime location within Birmingham’s central core, the development represents an ideal solution for businesses seeking office space of the very highest quality, and will undoubtedly draw the best employers to the city.

Calthorpe House will offer fully air-conditioned open floor plates of 2,062 sq m and the offices will also feature the coveted luxury of on-site parking with 257 spaces - possessing a high parking ratio of 1:35 sq m compared to that of Grade A office space in the city at 1:140 sq m.

Originally the identity for a building on Edgbaston Shopping Centre, the name has now been transferred to the new development to reflect the evolution and progression of Calthorpe Estates and its business vision.

Demolition is scheduled to commence on site this spring, with completion due in 2008.

Five Ways will also be significantly enhanced with the redevelopment of Edgbaston Shopping Centre, which will undergo the largest regeneration project of a principle gateway to Birmingham city centre.

The major £110 million redevelopment will create an attractive and high quality destination with much needed facilities.

The existing site will be replaced with an improved layout, modern buildings and an increased amount of public space, creating an appealing location for work and leisure which Birmingham can be proud of.

The 40,000 sq m development incorporates office, retail and leisure space, hotels and car parking spaces.

With its significant location on Five Ways, Calthorpe Estates made it a priority to engage the local community and undertook a period of consultation to ensure their opinions and thoughts on the scheme were heard.

Calthorpe Estates are also working with Birmingham City Council to ensure the development complements other proposed improvements to the area. The new destination is scheduled to be completed by 2010.

Calthorpe Estates’ strategic view to regeneration also incorporates residential, as part of the landmark mixed-use scheme at Edgbaston Mill.

Formally known as Tally Ho!, the nine-acre site opposite Edgbaston Cricket Ground will be transformed into a prestigious place to both live and work, and people will be able to take advantage of a stylish alternative to city centre living.

Boasting 20,000 sq m of residential space, 2,650 sq m of retail and A3 space, 5,600 sq m of office space, a 5,600 sq m hotel and 3,000 sq m of leisure facilities, the £100 million development will become an elegant and sought-after location, just a mile out of the central core of the city.

A stunning artistic piazza, approximately the same scale as Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre, will front the scheme, which will provide a large area of coveted public space.

Cordwell Property Group has been appointed as development partners to manage the scheme and Redrow Homes will develop the residential element, which will offer 344 apartments.

The name Edgbaston Mill sits comfortably with the location of the scheme and the heritage of the site, which was once home to one of the largest corn mills in Birmingham and dates back to the 18th century. Work has commenced on site and is due to complete by the end of 2008.

This £337 million regeneration portfolio will play a significant role in the renaissance of Birmingham, while actively benefiting the lives of residents. Calthorpe Estates’ Sales and Marketing Director, Jayne Herritty comments: “These landmark developments will help to position Birmingham as a key international destination and further enhance the opportunities to be based in the city, making it a highly attractive destination to both live and work.

“Calthorpe Estates’ strategic vision of regeneration will significantly elevate the appeal and reputation of Edgbaston and helps to underline Birmingham’s status as a prosperous, vibrant and world-class city.”