Homes England has selected Digbeth Loc Studios Ltd as its preferred development partner (subject to contract and standstill period) to deliver a major new creative and mixed-use neighbourhood at Fazeley Street in the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham.
The proposed development represents a significant step forward in the continued regeneration of Digbeth, helping to strengthen Birmingham’s growing reputation as a national hub for film, television and creative production.
The new neighbourhood will build on the success of established organisations and venues including BBC Studioworks, The Bond, The Custard Factory and The Tea Factory, creating a vibrant destination where creative businesses, residents and visitors can live, work, create and collaborate.
Jo Nugent, Executive Director, Midlands at Homes England, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to build on Digbeth’s unique identity and growing reputation as a centre for creative excellence. Working closely with our partners, we want to deliver a place that celebrates the area’s heritage while creating new opportunities for people and businesses to thrive.”
“Digbeth Loc Studios has already played a pivotal role in the area’s growth as a destination for film and television production. Together, we will seek to create a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood that supports economic growth, delivers new homes and further strengthens Birmingham’s position as a leading creative and cultural centre.”
As the next phase of Digbeth Loc Studios’ expansion, and working in partnership with the Mayor of the West Midlands and Birmingham City Council, the development will support the growth of the region’s creative industries while unlocking new homes, employment opportunities and investment for the area.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This time last year I announced a bold vision for Digbeth – that it would be bigger, better and bolder than Manchester’s Media City.
“Today’s announcement by Homes England is another key milestone in that journey which has seen Digbeth emerge over the last 12 months as a nationally significant hub for the creative industries.
“Steven Knight, alongside the BBC, Production Central WM and others have played a massive role in bringing about this transformation which is really starting to snowball. These are exciting times for Digbeth and, by continuing to invest in our amazing local talent, we can help grow our economy, create new jobs and put the West Midlands centre stage of the UK’s creative sector.”
Councillor Roger Harmer, Leader of the Council, Birmingham City Council, said: “This is great news and an important milestone in the continued regeneration of Digbeth, one of the most vibrant areas of the city, complementing the work we are already doing across Digbeth to improve the public realm and support its distinctive cultural identity. Digbeth Loc Studios is already playing a huge role in the city’s development as a major filming destination and creative hub.”
Steven Knight, Founder of Digbeth Loc. Studios, said: ”Fazeley Street is the next stage of Digbeth’s creative story. Digbeth is already one of Birmingham’s most vibrant and distinctive neighbourhoods, and we are proud to have played a part in that at Digbeth Loc Studios, home to the new Peaky Blinders franchise.
“Alongside the BBC’s investment at Typhoo Wharf and the wider community of creative businesses, artists and cultural organisations embedded here, we now have an opportunity to accelerate the development of one of the UK’s most dynamic creative and cultural quarters.
“Our ambition is to create a place where creative businesses can grow and local talent can build a future, strengthening Birmingham’s reputation as a global destination for film and television production.
“Over the coming months, we will be working with Homes England, Birmingham City Council, the Mayor of the West Midlands and the West Midlands Combined Authority to implement our plans. It is a vision which will build on Digbeth’s creative and industrial heritage whilst opening up new opportunities for the city and its people.”
The development team has previously been responsible for the transformation of the Banana Warehouse on this site into the Masterchef studio, as well as leading the redevelopment of Television Centre and the Truman Brewery in London.
The project forms part of a wider ambition to establish Digbeth as a globally recognised destination for the creative sector and a leading example of creative-led regeneration.
