Plans have been submitted for the regeneration of a historic Birmingham factory to create a new home for the BBC.
City developer Stoford is leading the project to revamp the old Typhoo Wharf warehouse in Digbeth to make a base for various departments of the broadcaster including The Archers, Asian Network, Newsbeat and local Midlands radio and TV news teams. The BBC is planning to relocate from its current home in the Mailbox to the new 84,000 sq ft custom-built centre in 2025.
Developers claim the landmark site in Bordesley Street will be one of Birmingham's first net-zero, carbon-in-construction office buildings.
Submission of the new detailed planning application represents the first phase of a wider masterplan for the surrounding area.
This will see more than ten acres of underutilised land around Typhoo Wharf and the adjoining canal basin transformed into a new mixed-use neighbourhood which could include up to 800,000 sq ft of new residential, office and hospitality accommodation.
Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: "The feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Birmingham's residents, visitors and commuters are genuinely excited at the prospect of the BBC making its home at such a recognisable and prominent building.
"Typhoo Wharf is a significant opportunity which will not only catalyse reinvigoration of the wider area but will also help to kick start further private and public-sector investment into Digbeth's built environment and transport connections.
"Central to our Typhoo scheme is the commitment to conserving the historic building which dates back to 1929 but has been left empty for decades.
"The BBC's new home will be instantly recognisable to everyone who travels into Birmingham on HS2, the tram or into our existing railway stations."
Other partners working on the project include landowner The Gooch Estate, Birmingham-based practice Glenn Howells Architects, planning consultancy Turley and several public sector bodies.
Landscape designer Grant Associates, which created the public realm at Birmingham's Paradise scheme, is designing the new open space Typhoo Wharf which will be delivered at the same time as the new BBC centre.
Designs for the wider masterplan are being updated following feedback from the public.
They will be published for further comment in the coming weeks regarding opportunities for food and beverage operators, residential accommodation and other commercial space.
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