Our work at Smithfield in Birmingham
The 17 hectare Smithfield regeneration scheme in Birmingham is set to transform this historic market site into a people-centred yet sustainable, low-carbon destination. Here, our project director, Stewart Dabin explains how our team of fire engineering experts from both the London and Manchester offices are contributing to its progress following submission to
the City Council for approval last month.
Working on behalf of client, Lendlease our team was appointed to provide fire engineering advice on two plots of phase 1 of the wider Smithfield’s masterplan (Plot 1D & Plot 3A). The £1.9bn masterplan ‘will form an iconic new centrepiece for the
city centre and include a rooftop garden, dining hall and new market square’ at the world-famous Bull Ring markets, as well as offering hundreds of sustainable and modern homes within the first phase. The low-carbon plans also incorporate GradeA flexible working space, the opportunity for 800 new jobs to be created in addition to encouraging healthy lifestyles through Smithfield Gardens which will allow residents and users of the space to access new green space to exercise and relax.
Plot 3A is led by Haworth Tompkins with input also from Minesh Patel Architects – our OFR team is led by Manchester-based Colin Bennett and this mixed-use project will include over 20,000m2 of office space, as well as a mix of retail and leisure facilities once approval is granted, hopefully later this year.
Plot 1D will provide a family residential area within the scheme that will promote spacious and car-free living at the corner of the park, complete with open play spaces yet located closely to the city centre. The London-based OFR team on this
plot Stewart Dabin, Motasem Zaid, and Muthia Khairunisa Jaelani.
This is set to be an exciting, people-centred transformation of this city centre site and we are looking forward to seeing works progress once approval is granted by the City Council this year, following the detailed consultations that have already taken place.
Prior + Partners are the masterplanners for the proposals, and are supported by many local, UK-wide and international architects and specialists.
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