West Midlands
Hartwell submits plans for £100 million Phoenix Yard regeneration of former ironworks site in Digbeth
Hartwell Plc, the automative and property development company, has submitted its plans to Birmingham City Council for a proposed £100 million regeneration of Phoenix Yard, a landmark mixed-use scheme at the heart of Digbeth.
The plans are to transform an outdated and under-utilised brown- field site which totals 2. 8-acre (1. 134 hectare) and is beside Coventry Street, Oxford Street, Meriden Street, and Digbeth High Street to deliver a new gateway to Digbeth.
The proposed plans are to provide 260,000 sq ft (24,228 sq m) of media and educational space, commercial floorspace, 240 new homes units, retail, public realm and high-quality landscaping.
The designs have been sensitively developed by award-winning archi- tects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris to honour the Phoenix ironworks site’s industrial heritage.
The plans include sustainability targets across the site such as BREEAM ‘Excellent’, WELL certification, WiredScore Platinum, SmartScore, NABERS and a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.
Phoenix Yard proposals aim to boost Digbeth’s acknowledged poten- tial as a burgeoning growth area in Birmingham, to contribute to its ongoing evolution into a dynamic and creative hub.
This development will align with significant projects, such as the BBC’s new multi-million-pound headquarters at Typhoo Wharf and the £1. 9 billion masterplan for Smithfield Market.
The anticipated Phoenix Yard project is expected to generate approx- imately 200 construction jobs and has the capacity to create more than 500 full-time equivalent positions.
Also, it is set to attract new residents to offer a substantial economic uplift that will support both social and economic development in the region.
Joanne Churchill, group property manager, Hartwell Plc said: “We are grateful for the positive feedback we’ve received during the public consultation period from the local community, stakeholders, and businesses regarding our proposed plans.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone for their valuable insights and supportive words. Our vision for Phoenix Yard aims to create a dynamic mixed-use neighbourhood at the heart of Digbeth.
“By tapping into the potential of this site, our plans are set to signifi- cantly enhance the area’s evolution into a thriving and vibrant part of Birmingham, providing an exciting array of new workspace, living and amenity opportunities for the future.”
Colmore Capital & Maven join forces to acquire eight industrial units in the West Midlands
Maven Capital Partners, a leading UK property and private equity manager, has announced a joint venture with Colmore Capital Limited (“Colmore”) to acquire eight industrial units in Willenhall, east of Wolverhampton.
Maven and Colmore have acquired the properties, which total to 43,751 sq ft of industrial space, and are located in Strawberry Lane Industrial Estate and in Key Industrial Park, both within a few hun- dred yards of each other. The units are predominantly let to the country’s leading manufacturer of heated towel rails, designer radi- ators and accessories.
The acquisition will capitalise on robust demand for industrial space in the West Midlands, and Wolverhampton in particular.
Industrial rents in this region have grown rapidly in recent years, reaching an average of £7. 20 per sq ft, and with over 25 million sq ft of space, Wolverhampton is among the largest markets for industrial space in the UK.
The wider Wolverhampton and Black Country area is a popular loca- tion for occupiers, with a high density of local businesses, strong transport links, a skilled labour force, and well-established supply chains. These attributes make it an attractive location for indus- trial units, supporting high occupier demand and efficient UK-wide distribution. The area’s established commercial ecosystem and
66
logistics infrastructure also offer long-term value and resilience for investors.
Ben Aspell of Maven Capital Partners said: “We are very pleased to partner again with Colmore Capital, an experienced and multi-dis- ciplined asset manager, on this exciting joint venture.
“Demand for high-quality industrial space in the West Midlands continues to grow, and the acquisition of these eight light indus- trial units near Wolverhampton provides access to the sector for Maven investors.
With a well-established track record in UK property invest- ment and active asset management, Maven is well positioned to deliver value from this portfolio while supporting regional economic growth.”
Matt Grainger of Colmore Capital said: “We are delighted to have successfully acquired this portfolio in the West Midlands, a region that continues to demonstrate strong demand and resilience as an established manufacturing and logistics hub.
“This acquisition aligns with our long-term strategy to expand our footprint in key regional markets, and we look forward to unlocking further value through active asset management and investment.”
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
