New images have been revealed of a planned Birmingham development that city leaders say is a "once in a generation opportunity" for the city.
Proposals to redevelop the former wholesale markets site at Smithfield were released last month, coinciding with the wider Smithfield masterplan.
The site is set to include two new public squares as well as markets, new office spaces, a roof garden, shops and a pub. BirminghamLive is reporting that the project is also set to include some 3,000 residential units.
The proposed Festival Square and ‘Market Square’ will help to create a new connection between the Bull Ring, Digbeth and the Chinese Quarter.
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Documents with details of the scheme were registered by Birmingham council on Wednesday. Work is expected to start this year and be delivered over 11 years in multiple phases.
The £1.9bn plans have been called “central” to the wider, long-term transformation of Birmingham.
The 14 hectares of land have since 2018 hosted Birmingham Pride – the biggest LGBT+ festival in the UK - and also hosted the beach volleyball, basketball, and wheelchair basketball during the city’s Commonwealth Games.
Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham city council, said: “Our vision for Smithfield, with the potential to create over 8,000 new jobs, is an important part of Birmingham’s Golden Decade of Opportunity.
“We showed the world a city on the up last summer and Birmingham Smithfield is a once in a generation opportunity that will further enhance our international standing and reputation.
“This is a bold, ambitious city – a city with a vision – and Birmingham Smithfield embodies our ambition.”
The project has been designed to create a "green" public space currently lacking in Birmingham city centre.
Lendlease, the international property investment group behind the project, has said it wants Smithfield to be a celebration of Birmingham’s heritage. On its website the group says the scheme will revive historic street patterns and link disconnected parts of Birmingham, with improved pedestrian and cycle access.
