Practice’s first job in the city to be a Grade A office block overlooking the Bullring
Carmody Groarke has landed the design role on the next commercial building at the £2bn Smithfield Birmingham development, one of the largest projects in the West Midlands.
The practice has been appointed by Lendlease to devise plans for a 185,000sq ft Grade A office block which will also provide a new home for Birmingham’s historic Rag Market.
The building will occupy a prominent position overlooking the Bullring shopping centre and St Martin’s Church in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
It is the first project in Birmingham for Carmody Groarke, which is expected to submit a full planning application for the scheme early next year.
Smithfield Birmingham development director Alex Housden said the office scheme is planned as one of the most prominent sites within the wider masterplan.
“Carmody Groarke demonstrated a strong understanding of the site, its relationship with the city and the importance of placing Birmingham’s historic markets at the heart of their approach,” he added.
The wider 17ha Smithfield scheme is being delivered by a joint venture between Lendlease and Birmingham city council and will provide cultural and leisure attractions, offices and more than 3,000 new homes.
The heart of the development will contain a series of large public spaces and new spaces for the city’s Bull Ring Markets.
Kevin Carmody, founding director at Carmody Groake, said: “We are very excited to be working in Birmingham for the first time and to have the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of Smithfield, reconnecting Birmingham’s historic markets with the wider city.”
No comments yet