Birmingham The heart and soul of the 2–3 The Heart and Soul of the West Midlands

Brilliant Birmingham Birmingham Facts and Stats

Welcome to Birmingham, the The second largest city in the UK, rich in and the Argent history and scattered with hidden gems, Centre. Birmingham’s innovation continues UK’s largest regional city: Birmingham is a hub of culture and today, being home to one of the UK’s a multicultural and innovation. With influences from across the premier research universities, as well as world, you can encounter anything from a Britain’s leading digital hub. innovative heartland at the English folk festival to Brazillian street art centre of Britain’s new with a world of experiences in between. However, Birmingham’s history lays far Divided into distinct quarters, the city centre beyond the borders of the West Midlands. Total population: Population growth to 2035: Percentage of people aged under 25: railway revolution. offers a unique mix of cultural attractions, as Birmingham is a multicultural city, which well as a range of restaurants, including celebrates its links to numerous countries several Michelin starred and countless bars and cultures. The city hosts over 50 festivals and clubs. Birmingham has something to throughout the year to celebrate diversity in m % % offer each of the 34 million visitors who are it’s own spectacular fashion. Welcoming the 1.1 16 37 drawn to the city every year. Chinese New Year in style, Birmingham’s free annual street festival attracts up to 30,000 Birmingham has a history of innovation and people. Birmingham’s weekend long St invention. Indeed, it was the centre of the Patrick’s Day celebrations are not to be in the UK, pioneering missed, attracting over 90,000 people and many inventions, such as the steam engine many see it as a highlight of the year for the and the assembly line. It was during the city. Other events include Birmingham Industrial Revolution that Birmingham came International Dance Festival, Jazz & Blues Growth rate to 2035 in workers: of age and evidence of this is still everywhere Festival, Birmingham Fashion Week, Brindley Jobs created in tech startups: to be seen. For example, the canals, Place Film Festival and one of the world’s Number of workers: which cover more distance than those of biggest Vaisakhi festivals which celebrates Venice and the listed buildings, including the collective birthday of the Sikh nation. the Birmingham and Midland Institute, 578,000 13% 38,300

Edinburgh Glasgow 245 miles 5 hrs 15 mins 252 miles 4 hrs 5 mins 4 hrs 40 mins Newcastle 4 hrs 5 mins 172 miles 3 hrs 30 mins Top regional city for 3 hrs 15 mins new businesses Leeds £26.2bn % 77 miles 40 91 miles 12,108 Largest economy of any UK of UK cars and car parts made 1 hr 50 mins 2 hrs 5 mins 1 hr 27 mins 1 hr 57 mins city outside of created in 2017 in and exported from UK

Sheffield Liverpool 64 miles 78 miles 1 hrs 40 mins 2 hrs 1 hr 14 mins 1 hr 35 mins Derby 34 miles Birmingham 1 hr 35 mins Birmingham hosts over 50 airlines fly to adds

Cardiff London 162 miles To Birmingham 108 miles 6,000 150 1.4bn 2 hrs 20 mins 2 hrs 20 mins Distance 1 hr 56 mins 1 hr 25 mins tech firms destinations worldwide from to the regional economy Time by car Birmingham Airport Fastest time by train Birmingham 4–5 The Heart and Soul of the West Midlands

Birmingham: seven days, seven quarters City Core City Centre Core is the historic heart of the City of Birmingham, home to many of the city’s famous Discover a new Birmingham landmarks: , Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The Core St George and St Chad every day. At the heart of is home to two of Birmingham’s Michelin Star Eastside Birmingham are the famed Formerly known as The due to restaurants: Adam’s Restaurant and Purnell’s. its pre-eminence as the centre of the world’s Birmingham Town Hall regularly presents a diverse Oozing creativity, science, learning and Seven Quarters: City Core, ordnance industry, the district has been range of concerts and recitals. The City Core is innovation, Eastside is the university quarter. St George and St Chad, renamed after St Chad’s Cathedral whose being regenerated and renewed, with the Paradise Populated with an overwhelmingly young beautifully ornate features are the focus of Project due to bring more pedestrianisation and population, the district benefits from easy Eastside, , Southside the district. Much of the quarter shows its residential living to the heart of Birmingham. access to the City and transport links, as well and Highgate, Westside and strong industrial roots, but regeneration is as green and blue spaces. Recently happening throughout Birmingham and regenerated, the district will become more and famous many of the district’s warehouses are being 01 Adam’s Restaurant 02 Purnell’s Bistro and attractive as the HS2 station at Curzon Street The . converted to residential and office Ginger Bar 03 Asha’s 04 Opus Restaurant opens (2026), making Eastside accommodation. 05 The Alchemist 06 The Botanist Birmingham’s direct link to London’s Euston. Each of these have their 07 Birmingham Town Hall 08 The Glee Club 39 The Bull 09 The Sunflower Lounge 10 Bullring 11 12 Gosta Green Pub own individual character 40 The Church Inn 41 The Asylum 13 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and history.

Jewellery Quarter The gem at the heart of Birmingham, the Digbeth Jewellery Quarter was the centre of Britain’s 37 Digbeth is Birmingham’s trendy quarter. Walk the 40 jewellery industry. Following a regeneration, 41 exposed red-brick streets and navigate the the district is now a true urban village 34 12 historically significant ‘Back-to-Backs’, and you will proud of its jewellery trade with a welcoming 36 be greeted by street art, vintage clothing, street community feel. Home to some of 39 food, pop-up shops and live music. At night, Birmingham’s most interesting museums alternative clubs and music venues plays host to a and landmarks, such as the Chamberlain 35 38 range of performers keeping Birmingham’s artistic clock and Golden Square, home to the heart beating at a lively pace. JQ Jazz Festival. 13 04 14 The Warehouse Café 15 Rico Libre Tapas 34 The Wilderness 35 Lasan Restaurant 05 11 16 The Ruin 17 Subside Bar 36 The Rose Villa Tavern 02 18 The O2 Institute 19 The Crossing 03 37 The Jam House 28 0104 38 Blue Orange Theatre 30 29 06 27 07 26 10 15 32 25 14 Southside and Highgate 09 Westside and Ladywood 23 17 On the doorstep of one of the busiest 31 18 Just as Eastside is the university hub of central 08 16 shopping centres in the UK, the Bull Ring, 24 19 Birmingham, the Westside is the vibrant arts zone. 21 and within a short walk of Birmingham New Iconic buildings, such as the Symphony Hall, the 22 Street station (with links to Birmingham 20 Convention Centre, The Royal Ballet and The REP 33 Airport), Southside is a hub for Theatre all stage entertainment varying from multiculturalism, leisure, indulgent foods and absurdist and experimental comedy to orchestral an exciting nightlife. At its centre is the recitals. Broad Street is home to some of Chinese Quarter, while to the east is Birmingham’s most exciting nightclubs, while Birmingham’s Wholesale Market, the perfect exquisite restaurants in a romantic canal setting can place to source local produce and be found in Brindley Place. horticulture.

23 Marco Pierre White Steakhouse 24 eastZeast 20 Missing Bar 21 The Old Fox 25 The Pickled Piglet 22 Birmingham Royal Ballet 26 Brasshouse 27 The Malthouse 28 The Flapper 29 Repertory Theatre 30 31 City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra 32 Ikon Centre 33 O2 Academy Eating Drinking Entertainment Birmingham 6–7 The Heart and Soul of the West Midlands

Transforming Birmingham

High Speed 2 (HS2), together Birmingham’s economic and social shopping centre (along with refurbishment of transformation over the last two decades has Birmingham New Street train station with the Commonwealth been monumental. Following a decline in the underneath it) have been transformational. Games and an ambitious manufacturing sector, the city council Birmingham Airport runway extension which instigated a new economic strategy aimed at has enabled long-haul passenger services city vision, Birmingham diversification of the economy and promotion from the airport has further boosted the city’s City Centre is being of the service sector. This strategy underpins international appeal, with regular flights to the ‘’ a 20-year framework to the United States, Middle East and China, as transformed. encourage ongoing transformation. The plan well as continental . seeks to deliver new residential communities in a world class city centre, maximising the This extraordinary wave of change and regeneration and development potential of regeneration will fuel further growth as HS2, including the allocation for 4,000 new billions of pounds of investment continue to homes at various sites across the city centre. pour into the city, drawn by the success of earlier initiatives. The forthcoming The results to date have been striking. A Commonwealth Games, appointment of range of city centre regeneration initiatives, as Mayor, and various including new office districts, retail schemes infrastructure investments such as HS2 and and hotels have revitalised the city. the Metro extension are raising the city’s Investment into schemes such as Brindley profile as never before. Birmingham is Place, The Mailbox, upgrades of the iconic becoming an increasingly attractive global Bull Ring and opening of the Grand Central destination for businesses and people alike.

1950s–60s University 2000s founded 1760s 1970s–80s The iconic 2020s 1830s Bull Ring shopping First Birmingham Birmingham 1900 1930s Train journey to centre opens canal opens London and hosts the 2022 1850 London reduced to Birmingham Railway Commonwealth 1782 90 minutes (L&BR) opens, Birmingham Birmingham is Airport opens Games World’s first steam linking Euston and New Street founded engine installed at Curzon Street station Station is built Boulton’s 1990s manufactory Birmingham hosts the G8 conference 50,000 180,000 230,000 Population Population Population forecast to pass 522,000 525,000 1m 1.1m 1.2m 1870s–80s 1760s 1846 2010s Matthew Boulton opens Birmingham his Soho Manufactory, Railway from awarded city status Runway and pioneering assembly Birmingham links 1930s 1970s–80s terminal line mass production London to expansion commences at Manchester and 1910s Barber Institute Birmingham 2020s Birmingham Scotland of Fine Arts Repertory Theatre Birmingham Airport HS2 to open established opens Repertory Theatre is established Birmingham 8–9 The Heart and Soul of the West Midlands

Birmingham: The Heart of HS2 HS2 Key Facts:

HS2 is coming, and The UK’s railways support 1.25 billion The eastern edge of the current city centre passenger journeys per year and growing is one that many visitors see from the train Birmingham is at its centre. levels of rail freight. Railways connect people as they arrive into Birmingham. At its centre By 2026 it will be the hub to jobs and businesses to markets, in a is the imposing Grade I listed entrance way that’s good for the environment and building to the former Birmingham Curzon linking London with the reduces road congestion. Street station. Dating from 1838, this was the Midlands. original arrival point for trains from London. To expand capacity and reduce travel times, From 2026 with the opening of HS2, the the project is underway. regenerated Curzon Street will again be the Total distance of Estimated passenger HS2 will reduce Birmingham to London arrival station for London trains, track in miles: Top speed: increases to London: journey times to as little as 50 minutes, and phase two would reduce travel times to The HS2 project will be delivered in two 18 Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds and phases. Stage one, due to open in 2026, will 330 250 Trains per hour, carrying 210% Manchester. At the heart of HS2 is link London with Birmingham. By 2033, on miles mph up to 1,100 people (11,300 to 34,900) Birmingham Curzon Street station. completion of stage two, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield will be connected with London, via the heart of HS2: Birmingham. According to independent research carried out in 2013, HS2 may deliver 50,000 new jobs and a £4bn increase in regional GDP.

Estimated uplift to Estimated new jobs: The full network would Linking 8 of Britain’s Birmingham economy: concrete an area the largest cities, serving one size of Manchester in five of the population 50,000 £4bn

Leeds The HS2 Effect: rail travel times before and after HS2

Wigan Manchester Sheffield London

Heathrow Spur Crewe Nottingham Derby Crewe East Midlands Hub Derby Birmingham Sheffield

Liverpool

Manchester

Newcastle

Leeds Heathrow Spur London Euston

Glasgow

Edinburgh

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Average travel time (minutes) HS2 Current Birmingham 10–11 The Heart and Soul of the West Midlands

Birmingham’s housing market

Despite an increasing House price growth in Birmingham has been Over the next five years, Birmingham house boosted recently by the strengthening local prices are forecast to grow by 20.9%. working population, the economy and high demand for housing, This compares very favourably to the transformation of the city meaning it is now outperforming the UK. other regional cities.

center and a diverse, Much of Birmingham’s housing stock are According to latest estimates, 21% of burgeoning economy detached and semi-detached, built in the Birmingham’s households are private 1960s and 1970s, with flats constituting only renters. This is forecast to rise to 26% over Birmingham remains very 22% of residential buildings. However, in the the next five years. However, the number of affordable with a strong city centre, housing stock is overwhelmingly private renters is significantly higher in the flats and apartments which account for 84% city center, accounting for 56% of growth forecast. of the market. households. This is forecast to rise to 63% over the next five years. Over the past five years, house prices in the Birmingham have grown by 39%. In the very Demand for rental housing in Birmingham’s heart of Birmingham, house prices have city centre continues to increase, fuelled by a grown even faster, increasing from £128,000 growing population of young professionals in 2013 to £269,000 in 2018. Just as house (Birmingham is currently the youngest city in prices have grown in the Birmingham centre, Europe with almost 40% of its population new build properties have grown in under the age of 25), indicating a strong pool popularity and desirability. In 2013, new build for potential renters. Birmingham’s rental city centre properties attracted a 7% growth is also positive, forecast to grow by premium. In 2018 this has increased to 59%. 19.4%, which compares favourably with London’s forecast 19.6%.

City and City Centre average apartment prices: Average house prices, 2012–2018 Birmingham and other regional cities

£350,000 £180,000

£160,000 £300,000

£140,000 £250,000 £120,000

£200,000 £100,000

£150,000 £80,000

£60,000 £100,000

£40,000

£50,000 £20,000

0 0

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Bristol Leeds Cardiff Liverpool Birmingham Manchester

City City centre Average apartment price Average house price Birmingham 12–13 The Heart and Soul of the West Midlands

Birmingham: City of education, culture, Education and innovation Sports stadia innovation and sport Innovation Theatre and music venues Birmingham Travel Jewellery College of Law Birmingham is home to five universities: Birmingham is a city with a passionate 500m In the 18th and 19th Quarter centuries, Birmingham University of Birmingham, Birmingham City sporting history. Aston Villa and Birmingham Royal Birmingham University, University College, Newman City football clubs both play in the FA Birmingham Conservatoire rose to prominence as a city University and Aston University. In addition, Championship, and have both played in the Snow Hill it is home to many training colleges, such prestigious Premier League. South of the Birmingham City of culture, enlightened views as the College of Law and the Royal City Core is Stadium, home to University Birmingham Conservatoire. The University Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the Arena University College and thought. Indeed, just Birmingham as it is now the centre of of Birmingham is one of the top universities scene of some of cricket’s most famous Birmingham Birmingham in the UK and a Russel Group member. moments. In 2022, Birmingham will play host Crescent Birmingham Curzon Street Its strong undergraduate and research to the Commonwealth Games. Under the Town Hall Britain’s new railway, it Theatre Birmingham reputation attracts over 5,000 students a year motto ‘Heart of the UK, Soul of the Symphony Rep Birmingham was at the centre of the from over 150 countries. It has the fourth Commonwealth’, 5,000 athletes from 73 Hall New Street O2 Institute largest population of international students countries will compete in the Alexander St Andrew’s Industrial Revolution. Birmingham The Alexandra of any UK higher education establishment Stadium. Royal Ballet To this day, Birmingham and the second highest postgraduate DanceXchange international student cohort. Theatre and art play a crucial role in continues to be a centre O2 Academy Birmingham’s cultural identity, with countless for education, innovation, Birmingham is also home to the UK’s leading theatres all hosting a wide range of events. creativity and sport. digital campus —Innovation Birmingham— Birmingham’s Hippodrome has become located in the Birmingham Science Park, is a famed as the UK’s most popular theatre, with initiative to bring over 500,000 visitors a year. The Hippodrome together the public and private sectors with is home to both the Birmingham Royal Ballet, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors as well as DanceXchange, bringing together looking to develop or fund tech start-ups. In performers of all abilities and cultures. The the heart of Digbeth lies The Custard Factory, Birmingham Repertory Theatre (REP) has is one of most powerful collection of creative also gained a reputation of producing and digital businesses, independent retailers innovate stage shows. and event venues outside London.

Universities: 5 University student population: 150 Innovation Birmingham has 63,000 created over 150 tech startups

International student population: Largest country of student origin: 140 Innovation Birmingham hosts over 140 9,900 China (42%) digital technology events a year Why we love ENVIRONMENT TOURISM FOOD AND DRINK CONNECTIVITY Birmingham Number of visitors 4 Michelin starred 56km of canals. More canals 41.8m restaurants. More than any than Venice 8,000 city outside of London Total households 571 acres of earning over £100k parks greenspace 3,994 Visitor spending 100 Average salary £7.1bn 35 25% of the Birmingham Balti houses, serving Railway stations is greenspace, making it the curry synonymous £34,501 the UK’s only biophilic city with Birmingham

Total private renters DEMOGRAPHICS 22 20,000 Four star 220,473 Busiest railway station hotels The Balti triangle attracts 80% over 20,000 diners per week outside London of city centre households 42,366,776 are private renters Current total Estimated ENTERTAINMENT Number of entries and population population in 2035 exits, 6th busiest in UK 1.1m 1.3m 520,000 EDUCATION Hippodrome visitors per year. Busiest and most popular theatre in the UK 36,000 Number of interchanges 96,000 238,313 Birmingham Symphony 5,791,187 A 9.8% increase in Population Orchestra visitors. More than population between born outside 4th highest in UK Overseas students Total students any other UK orchestra 2001 and 2011 of the UK 9,900 65,000 Home to two FA Championship teams 108 30% Universities – Busiest international routes with one in the top 20 Languages of residents are UK universities spoken from minority ethnic (921,542) 5 background Home to test cricket Dubai (718,632) ground Edgbaston Birmingham City Aston Villa Amsterdam (631,646) ECONOMY Stadium 50 airlines fly to over 150 destinations Highest contributing sectors to Birmingham GDP INDUSTRY £26.2bn 10% 10% Birmingham has the For over 250 years Birmingham’s Jewellery Wholesale Human health largest economy of any UK Quarter has been a national epicentre for Airline passengers and retail trade and social work city outside of London jewellery design – producing an estimated 40% of the UK’s jewellery. 12,983,436 Contact: Jennet Siebrits Head of Residential Research +44 20 7182 2066 [email protected]

Sources: CBRE, Molior, Land Registry, Oxford Economics; HS2.org.uk; West Midlands Growth company

Photography: Cover collage top left: © Caron Badkin / Shutterstock.com. P7: Miguel Dovale / Shutterstock.com

Disclaimer 2018 CBRE CBRE Limited confirms that information contained herein, including projections, has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. While we do not doubt their accuracy, we have not verified them and make no guarantee, warranty or representation about them. It is your responsibility to confirm independently their accuracy and completeness. This information is presented exclusively for use by CBRE clients and professionals and all rights to the material are reserved and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission of CBRE. Images provided are computer generated. All travel times taken from TFL. © 2018 CBRE Ltd.