The Tea Factory base for the BBC was designed by Howells. Credit: Typhoo Wharf

Gooch Estate picks Avison Young as Digbeth property manager

14 April 2026 09:19 Paul Unger Comments (0)

AY has been tasked with bringing the public realm to life around the new BBC base next to the HS2 station in central Birmingham.

Landowner the Gooch Estate selected the surveying firm by competitive tender to be property manager for the estate and public realm at Typhoo Wharf in Digbeth.

The first phase 84,000 sq ft office for the BBC is due to open next year. The wider proposals are for 800,000 sq ft of residential and commercial space in total. Stoford is development partner to Gooch Estate and will deliver the masterplan in phases. Details of the next phases have yet to be announced.

BAM is the appointed contractor to deliver the Howells-designed Tea Factory for the BBC. The project is majority-funded by Aviva Investors on behalf of its Lime Property Fund, with a grant from Birmingham City Council.

The BBC will base several editorial teams there including The Archers, BBC Asian Network, BBC Newsbeat, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today.

The Digbeth development area is next to the southern entrance of the forthcoming HS2 Curzon Street Station, and is designed to become a hub for Birmingham’s creative community, already home to several creative venues including the Custard Factory, Eastside Projects and Digbeth Loc Studios.

Guy Thompson, principal at Avison Young, said: “Typhoo Wharf is part of a bold vision for Birmingham’s future, transforming an area with a rich industrial history into a neighbourhood that meets the needs of today’s communities and businesses.

“It will be a destination to live, work and play and our custodianship will bring Typhoo to life through events and activation that will engage the occupiers and the wider Digbeth creative community, in addition to our core services in relation to the important governance and compliance of managing high class public realm estate.”

Lucinda Hutson, director of the Gooch Estate, added: “Bringing Avison Young onboard to manage Typhoo Wharf is an exciting milestone in the future of the scheme. This is a major project for Birmingham, putting the city firmly on the map as a destination for creative talent, anchored by a state-of-the-art new home for BBC Birmingham.

“We look forward to working with Avison Young, and our existing partners, to maximise the benefits of the considerable investments made in the neighbourhood’s future and support its success as a cornerstone of the city’s creative legacy.”