Most recently we have seen the announcement of Ballymore’s mixed-use 800,000 sq.ft scheme at Snow Hill, comprising three stunning Siddell Gibson designed blocks further complimenting the grade A space in the market. The development has a residential scheme at the rear, and encouragingly shows an ambitious delivery with the first phase construction starting before the end of 2006. 

Birmingham Alliance’s Martineau Galleries has also moved on with initial pre-planning details suggesting the 14 acre site will accommodate 645,000 sq.ft of retail space set amongst open squares and piazzas. It aims to create a step change improvement to the north of the city and help to finally link Masshouse and Eastside to the main shopping zone and business quarter.  Under construction Baskerville House and Abstracts Post and Mail are moving on apace providing vitally needed grade A space.  

Overall these schemes suggest an encouraging 2006 for the city centre, with a little more ‘outside of the box’ thinking than we have come to expect.  The Alliance plans for Martineau suggest it won’t just be Bullring two but an attempt to increase scope and variety of the city’s retail to attract the higher income customer the city currently fails to get.  While Snow Hill, Fort Dunlop and the design-conscious “Cube” threaten to finally deliver real mixed use schemes to Birmingham, all luck to them.