A Vision of Birmingham
Over the last ten years, Birmingham has undergone a renaissance, with a multi million pound regeneration programme transforming an industrial city into one of the worlds most vibrant and cosmopolitan ones.
This exciting vision has preserved some of the city's best industrial and architectural heritage and blended it with new, dynamic and unique facilities to create a modern, attractive and inviting place to live in, work and invest in.
Birmingham has become a magnet for business and tourism from around the world, boasting world class visitor facilities and attractions such as the International Convention Centre, National Exhibition Centre, Symphony Hall, National Indoor Arena, Museum & Art Gallery, the National Sea Life Centre and the recently opened Bull Ring Shopping Complex.
The success story of Birmingham continues, with attention focussed on land to the east of the city centre. The Eastside initiative is a massive and ambitious ten year project, at the heart of which is a spectacular newbuild programme, building on the foundations laid with Millennium Point and continuing with a Learning Quarter, a technology park and a seven acre city centre park, the first in the city for over 100 years.
Immediately adjacent to both the New Bullring development and Eastside is one of the new pieces in the regeneration jigsaw of Birmingham. This will be a vibrant, 24 hour Irish Quarter, mixing work and residential developments. The new face of the famous area, located to the south of the commercial centre, in Digbeth, will be the result of a £400 million development programme over the next five years.
A number of innovative schemes will not only encourage the rebirth of Birmingham's historic centre, with stunning mixed use amenities, but also further contribute to the city's transformation into a true European city fit for the 21st Century.
"On behalf of Birmingham City Council, I welcome this next phase in the development of the Irish Quarter, as both a recognition of the contribution which the Irish Community has made to the City's physical, social and cultural developments over the last 50 years, and the tremendous investment opportunity which we fell it offers for businesses looking to establish a presence in Birmingham. "
Mike Whitby, Leader of the Birmingham City Council.
"The redevelopment of the Irish Quarter is an important opportunity for the Irish Community and the City of Birmingham. Working together in partnership, they look set to create a living, lasting monument to the Irish in Birmingham which will make an on-going contribution to the welfare and wealth of the whole city. The very best of luck to everyone involved!"
His Excellency Daithi O'Ceallaigh, Irish Ambassador.