Masterplan unveiled for £360m landmark scheme

A masterplan has been unveiled for a new £360m net zero carbon development in Birmingham which would feature the city’s tallest building and has the potential to create more than 1,000 jobs.Brought forward by Woodbourne Group, the £360m waterfront ecosystem, to be called Curzon Wharf, will be within eight minutes walking distance of the HS2 Curzon Street Station.The masterplan development of almost one million sq ft is expected to boost the Birmingham economy by at least £151m.The city centre site of 993,046 sq ft will provide new residential, retail, office, R&D and life science space that is currently occupied by industrial units constructed in the 1960s.The built-to-rent element will stand 53 storeys high at 172m, making it Birmingham’s tallest building, while the purpose-built student accommodation will be 41 storeys and the co-living 14 storeys tall.This incorporates 732 student flats, 265 residential co-living units and up to 498 residential units.Additionally, it will include almost 130,000 sq ft of office, R&D and life science space, more than 3,000 sq ft of retail space, 15,000 sq ft of leisure space and 76,424 sq ft of new and improved public realm.The project has been welcomed by civic leaders including West Midlands mayor Andy Street.Planning and development consultants Turley and commercial property agent CBRE have calculated Curzon Wharf will add £2m a year in council tax and business rates and attract a New Homes Bonus of £4m.