A ground-breaking vision to create the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon development – which will transform a key gateway to Birmingham – has taken a massive step closer to becoming reality following a landmark decision by city planners after six years in the making.
The £360 million waterfront ecosystem, known as Curzon Wharf, has become one of the most talked about developments since it was first announced in March 2021.
It is set to be developed in a key quarter of the city centre and will generate more than 1,000 jobs, as calculated by planning specialists Turley and CBRE.
Investor and developer Woodbourne Group is celebrating Birmingham City Council planning committee’s decision to support the transformational Curzon Wharf masterplan development.
The proposals include new residential buildings – including Birmingham’s tallest tower – shops and offices, as well as research and development and life sciences facilities, will feature on the 1m sq ft site which is currently occupied by industrial units constructed in the 1960s.
Tani Dulay, chief executive of Woodbourne Group, said: “We’ve worked hard to reach this point and it is incredibly satisfying to stand on the brink of delivering such a world class development for a city I’m proud to call home. I would like to thank the planning committee, our team and everyone else that has supported this scheme.
Mr Dulay added: “We need to help power the economic recovery by facilitating investment, creating jobs and acting as a catalyst to further success.”
Located next to Aston University and Birmingham City University, and within an eight-minute walk of the new HS2 Curzon Street Station, the development is expected to boost Birmingham’s economy by at least £151 million.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Birmingham is proud to have young entrepreneurs like Tani who have the persistence and enthusiasm to drive us towards a brighter and more sustainable future.
“His tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to creating the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development are a testament to his determination to make a difference.”
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of West Midlands Growth Company said: “Curzon Wharf has the potential to catalyse growth and innovation in the West Midlands, not only creating jobs in it’s own right, but helping to drive regional investment as a flagship development that is a very visible beacon of the regions commitment to creating world class, sustainable, infrastructure.”
Paul Kitson, Director of Place, Prosperity, and Sustainability at Birmingham City Council, said: “Curzon Wharf is an exciting project for Birmingham and builds upon our ambition to be a greener and more sustainable city. Being home to the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development is something we’re immensely proud of and after six years in planning, we’re delighted that the £360 million development has been given the green light to rejuvenate a key gateway into the city, as well as becoming another key piece of the Birmingham skyline.”
The scheme will include a residential build to rent apartment block which will stand 53 storeys high, making it Birmingham’s tallest building at 172 metres (564 feet). The purpose-built student accommodation will be 41 storeys and another residential element at 14 storeys tall.
In addition, the development will include nearly 130,000 sq ft of office, R&D and life science space, over 3,000 sq ft of retail units, more than 15,000 sq ft of leisure space, over 76,424 sq ft of new and improved public realm and 490 metres of new and improved walking and cycling routes.
