Hines and Woodbourne team up on £4bn Birmingham Knowledge Quarter
Birmingham’s £4bn knowledge quarter innovation zone project has taken a step forward, after promoter Woodbourne Group announced a partnership deal with Hines which could bring in up to £400m worth of investment for the scheme.
The Birmingham Knowledge Quarter is intended to provide nearly 5,000 homes and over 6m sq ft of commercial space focused on life sciences, artificial intelligence, digital health and advanced manufacturing across a 520-acre site in Curzon Wharf.
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker says the link-up with global developer Hines, announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during this week’s regional investment summit in Birmingham, will provide a “significant boost” for the project.
“We’re creating something really special at the Knowledge Quarter, where some of the streets are named after our region’s great industrial pioneers,” he said.
“Innovation districts around the world thrive when high quality homes are built alongside cutting-edge research institutions. Having a global player like Hines on board, to work with our partners at Woodbourne Group, will be the catalyst we need to turn this area of Birmingham into the place to be for a new generation of innovators and pioneers.”
Birmingham-based Woodbourne Group is working alongside Aston University, Birmingham City University, Bruntwood SciTech and Birmingham City Council in delivering a masterplan for the scheme.
The firm says once completed, the scheme will position Birmingham as “the UK’s most connected innovation hub”, with a direct 49-minute link to London via the new high-speed rail link under construction at Curzon Wharf.
Tani Dulay, CEO of Woodbourne Group, said: “This is the culmination of over 12 months of hard work and belief from Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Growth Company in our vision.
“The Birmingham Knowledge Quarter will set a new global benchmark for innovation-led investment, and we’re proud to have Hines join us as we deliver the city’s next great chapter.”
Ross Blair, country head UK and Ireland, of Hines, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Woodbourne Group on the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter. This project aligns with our strategy of backing transformative, innovation-led destinations with strong connectivity and long-term growth potential.
“The vision for the Knowledge Quarter, together with the proximity to HS2, gives us real confidence in Birmingham’s future as a world-class hub for investment and a desirable location for high quality residential.”
