Lendlease has landed a contract to help deliver a major £1.5 billion redevelopment project in Birmingham city centre.

The project involves transforming the Birmingham Smithfield site into a new urban quarter, featuring shopping and leisure facilities, along with over 2,000 new homes, a public park and community facilities.

The area will also become the new home to the city's historic Bull Ring retail markets.

Lendlease will form a joint venture with Birmingham City Centre to deliver the project.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council said: "We are extremely excited to be working with Lendlease who are an internationally leading developer with a proven track record of bringing forward major development schemes. The delivery of Birmingham Smithfield will be a major boost for Birmingham. With the new cultural and leisure attractions, the public realm, new homes and retail markets the development will appeal to both national and international audiences. Alongside these fantastic new facilities, the development will also deliver substantial benefits for the people of Birmingham. Lendlease have committed to invest in the local community and create 1,000s of new jobs and training opportunities. This scheme will create a legacy for the citizens of Birmingham and become an exemplar for inclusive economic growth."

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Waheed Nazir, Corporate Director for Economy, Birmingham City Council, added: "Birmingham Smithfield is the city's most important redevelopment opportunity. The site is the location where Birmingham first developed and where its future will now be defined. The calibre of bidders that have been attracted through the procurement process has shown the strength of the city as a place to invest. Lendlease has the capabilities and resources to realise the city's vision and deliver a truly transformational development scheme. Working with Lendlease we will be creating a new family leisure destination complemented by an exciting mix of cultural facilities, independent retail and business space. This will create a major attractor for residents and visitors. The scheme will have an emphasis on green infrastructure alongside community facilities and affordable housing."

The development of Birmingham Smithfield is part of the city's Big City Plan, launched in 2010, which sets out a 25-year vision to grow the city centre by more than 25 per cent.

Lendlease was selected for the project following an OJEU Competitive Dialogue Procurement process.

Dan Labbad, CEO, Lendlease, Europe, said: "Smithfield is the birthplace of Birmingham, known for its markets which have always been at the heart of the city. Much like Birmingham itself, the area is brimming with creativity and opportunity. Our plans for the redevelopment will respect this heritage and bring more jobs, homes and environmental benefits to the area and the people of Birmingham."

The redevelopment of Birmingham Smithfield will take around 15 years to complete, with the first phase delivering new homes, the new retail markets building and public realm. 

The joint venture is expected to submit a planning application by late 2019 with development scheduled to commence in 2022.

(CM/MH)