The ‘world’s first’ mixed-use net zero carbon development, called Curzon Wharf, in Birmingham has been unveiled by Woodbourne Group
The waterfront ecosystem, Curzon Wharf, will be within eight minutes walking distance of the HS2 Curzon Street Station and is expected to boost the Birmingham economy by at least £151m.
The plans have been designed after five years of consultation with Birmingham City Council and a team of regeneration and built-environment specialists.
Developers Woodbourne Group say it will be a “truly transformative urban neighbourhood” when completed, incorporating both the latest technology and many social and mental health lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Paving the way for the UK’s green revolution’
Chief executive Tani Dulay said Curzon Wharf will reinvent this 1960s site into a “newly reinvigorated, dynamic, world-class and sustainable mixed-use ecosystem” containing life sciences, a new breed of residential and student living with vast public spaces “never seen in Birmingham before”.
Dulay said: “Curzon Wharf isn’t just a development, it’s a manifesto that will position Birmingham as UK’s leading smart and sustainable city, helping to pave the way for the UK’s Green Revolution. It reinforces Birmingham position as the UK’s second city.
“It will act as a catalyst for the wider transformation of the Eastside area, where a number of masterplans have been earmarked which otherwise would not be possible. It signposts Birmingham’s route to delivering transformational change to the city.
“It will promote social, cultural and economic exchange in a truly transformative urban neighbourhood.”
West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, commented: “This is an incredibly exciting plan, with the potential to create more than 1,000 jobs at what will be a critical time for our region’s economy as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is brilliant to see how innovative the masterplan is, not only through being net-zero and contributing towards our #WM2041 goal, but also with the life sciences element which will help create a number of high-skilled, well-paid jobs in a key industry of the future, building on the recent investment at the life sciences site in Selly Oak.
“I will support Tani and his team at Woodbourne Group as best I can as Mayor to get this scheme moving.”
Leader of Birmingham City Council, councillor Ian Ward, added: “This exciting project will put Birmingham right at the forefront of green, sustainable development and underlines our determination to tackle the climate crisis, while also creating jobs and opportunities for people across the city.
“We’ve shown with the recent launch of Our Future City Plan consultation that Birmingham has the ambition and vision to become a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive city and Curzon Wharf shows our determination to turn vision into reality.
“We want to work with the people and communities of Birmingham as we re-imagine and reshape our city, so I would urge as many people as possible to have their say in this consultation.”
The city centre site of 993,046 sq ft will provide new residential, retail, office, R&D and life sciences that is currently occupied by industrial units constructed in the 1960s.
The built-to-rent element will stand 53-storeys high making it Birmingham’s tallest building at 172m. The purpose-built student accommodation will be 41-storeys and the co-living 14-storeys tall.
Tani Dulay said the development will include “never before seen” high quality, purpose-built student accommodation.
“Curzon Wharf will provide a sustainable, mixed-use space incorporating high quality accommodation providing up to 732 student flats, 265 residential co-living units with generous amenity space and up to 498 residential units,” he said.
In addition, the project will include nearly 130,000 sq ft of office, R&D and life science space, over 3,000 sq ft of retail space, over 15,000 sq ft of leisure space, over 76,424 sq ft of new and improved public realm and 490m of new and improved walking and cycling routes.
