Plans have been revealed to redevelop a key section of Birmingham city centre’s High Street, potentially introducing a brand-new shopping arcade dedicated to independent boutiques and wellbeing.
The area under consideration measures 1.143 hectares and sits at the northern end of the High Street, bordered by Bull Street, Union Street, and Corporation Street. Currently, it houses Martineau Place, a mixed-use complex featuring popular shops, bars, and eateries such as Fallout Clothing, Merlin’s Cafe Bar, Awesome Chips, Beauty Central, as well as major retailers like Boots, CEX, Poundland, Savers, and Burger King.
The redevelopment proposal, led by Sixth Street and Henley Investment Management, involves demolishing these existing establishments along with the Staybridge Suites Hotel and a GP surgery to make way for two new towers, residential units, commercial spaces, and multiple green public areas.
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At the heart of the project is the envisioned ‘Botanical Arcade’ — a tranquil and greenery-filled space designed to nurture a unique retail environment focused on wellbeing and lifestyle. This arcade would host boutique and independent shops alongside a garden café, where seating could spill outdoors into the arcade. Lush planting and elevated views over the neighbouring Martineau Dials are intended to encourage visitors to pause, relax, and reconnect with the urban environment.
Martineau Dials itself will become the focal point of the development, serving as a vibrant civic hub with a central plaza complemented by trees, plants, and terraced seating for informal dining and social gatherings. Its strategic location connects key city landmarks, including the upcoming Curzon Street HS2 station, Cathedral Square, Bull Street, and the rest of the High Street.
Beyond the Botanical Arcade and Martineau Dials, additional green spaces such as the proposed Union Street Gardens — a new linear park along Union Street — and Harriet Gardens will enhance the site. The plan also includes a pavilion and an accessible route cutting through the development to improve connectivity with HS2 transport links.
Complementing the green spaces, the scheme envisions restaurants with outdoor terraces and a striking water cascade feature. Two towers will accommodate a mix of residential and commercial uses, reflecting a vision for a thriving and dynamic city centre quarter.
The public consultation process on these proposals is currently open, inviting comments and feedback before the consultation closes on July 31. Following this, planning applications will be submitted to progress the scheme further.
Martineau Place, originally opened in 1959 and refurbished extensively in 2001, stands on the cusp of a significant transformation aimed at revitalising Birmingham’s city centre with a focus on community, wellbeing, and independent retail.