Miller Developments and Bridgehouse Capital - Mixed-Use Development - Birmingham, Arena Central

Date: 04 Mar 2004

Miller Developments and Andy Ruhan’s Bridgehouse Capital have formed a new joint venture aimed at bringing forward the Arena Central mixed use project in Birmingham, one of the UK’s largest city centre developments.

The two companies have set up Arena Central Developments LLP, a 50:50 jv, and have merged their land interests at the site as part of a £50 million deal.

Arena Central is a three ha (7.6-acre) site to the west of Birmingham City Hall immediately opposite the International Convention Centre and forms an integral part of the council’s attempts to revitalise its central business district.

Part of the deal includes one of the city’s tallest buildings, Alpha Tower, a fully let 18,580 sq m (200,000 sq ft) office block, the ground lease of a 284-bedroom Crowne Plaza Hotel, a 830 space car park let to Britannia Parking and development land with planning consent for up to 213,670 sq m (2.3m sq ft) of office, residential, leisure and retail space. There will also be parking for up to 2,500 cars.

Andrew Sutherland, a director of Miller Developments says: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Andy to consolidate our two land holdings and so free up the development of the site.”

Andy Ruhan adds “Arena Central Developments is now looking forward to progressing discussions with Birmingham City Council, who own the site’s freehold, with regard to the detailed master planning of this high profile development opportunity.”

Arena Central will form the next major step in the development of Birmingham’s “west end” following on from the resounding success of Brindley Place, International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall, and the National Indoor Arena along the Broad Street corridor.

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