The consortium behind the £3.2bn Arden Cross development in the Midlands, has selected mixed-use specialist Muse as development partner on the 346-acre scheme.
Arden Cross Ltd is a special purpose delivery vehicle created by landowners Birmingham City Council, Packington Estate and Coleshill Estate to drive forward the regeneration of the site where the new HS2 Interchange station is already under construction.
The mixed-use scheme consists of 3,000 new homes and up to 6m sq ft of employment space, with the first phase of development potentially coming forward as early as 2025.
Arden Cross Ltd recently signed a memorandum of understanding with University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and the University of Warwick to explore opportunities for bringing forward a new medical and technology campus at the site.
Ben Gray, project director at Arden Cross Ltd, said: “Arden Cross is focused on delivering sustainable growth for the region and the whole of the UK and we know Muse will help us achieve this. We’re committed to working together to capitalise on the masterplan principles and deliver transformational change for the region while creating a world leading economic hub for the UK in a unique public-private partnership that leverages the superb connectivity of Arden Cross.”
Maggie Grogan, development director for Muse, said: “This is a truly unique opportunity to bring forward a landmark destination for the UK that’s a beacon for growth in the Midlands and we’re immensely proud to be joining the team. As a business, we’re committed to delivering sustainable regeneration at pace, while at the same time bringing real, tangible benefits to communities and we can’t wait to get started.”
Cllr Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, added: “This is another vote of confidence in Solihull and the region and our shared commitment to net zero carbon by 2030. A green, accessible and thriving new destination for the UK, Arden Cross has the potential to really add to our regional and national economy and the news that an experienced organisation like Muse is on board will fuel our ability to reach our objectives.”
Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, landowners at Arden Cross, said: “Muse is a highly respected partner in large scale urban regeneration up and down the country and their experience will be put to good use here in the Midlands. As a landowning partner at Arden Cross, Birmingham City Council is committed to bringing forward the site masterplan as quickly and as effectively as possible and Muse will help us achieve this for the good of everyone in the region.”
And Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, said: “With more than £800m of investment already committed to the Arden Cross site, there is a huge amount of national and indeed international interest in the tremendous potential of the site to serve a multiplicity of uses. This announcement with a partner of the calibre of Muse reinforces that interest and maintains the momentum around this landmark public private partnership. I’m confident that Arden Cross can and will be a real exemplar of the Levelling Up agenda – boosting the regional and national economy and changing lives locally for the better in the months and years ahead.”
JLL led the marketing process to find the development partner for Arden Cross, which ‘generated serious interest from many well-known market leading organisations from the UK and beyond’.
