Brindleyplace

History

Background to Brindley

Brindleyplace – named after canal pioneer James Brindley – is a vibrant, mixed use development in the heart of Birmingham, steeped in history.

Today’s commercial, cultural and leisure buildings are linked by public squares and pedestrian routes that all lead back to the canal side and its links to the Industrial Revolution and Birmingham’s essential role in that part of our shared past.

As Birmingham changed in the 1980s the site was chosen for a new commercial and cultural quarter for the city with office space, a theatre, art gallery, restaurants and cafes taking the place of yesterday’s industrial buildings.

The estate was also about expanding the city centre and providing modern amenities and commercial buildings.

Find out more about the estate in the timeline below.

1980's and 1990's

1980

Before Brindleyplace
Where Brindleyplace is today once stood a mix of Victorian workshops, warehouses, factories and wharves, most of them connected to the canal side which allowed easy access to the rest of the country.

1991

Planning permission submitted
Planning permission was submitted for a brand new mixed-use development on Birmingham’s canal network adjacent to the new International Convention Centre and National Indoor Arena.

1992

Planning permission accepted
Planning permission for Brindleyplace granted, with 6,000 people set to be employed across the estate as well as bringing 4 million visitors per annum.

1994

The Water's Edge completed
The first part of the development, known as The Water’s Edge, is completed, consisting of canal side cafés, bars and restaurants.

1995

Central Square developed
Following a design competition, a brand new public square for the people of Birmingham is created with visible nods to the site’s past with both water features and aqueduct arches.

1996

Sea Life Centre opens
The National Sea Life Centre opened its doors for the first time. A key part of the original masterplan, the Norman Foster-designed attraction brings marine life to the very heart of the UK.

1998

Leisure and health centre opens
A class-leading health centre opens on the canal side, and soon becomes a part of the Bannatyne’s Health Club network.

1998

Crescent Theatre
A brand new home for the Crescent Theatre is built and opens its doors for the first of many productions to come.

1998

Ikon Gallery & Oozells Square
A former Victorian school is sympathetically refurbished to become the new home for the city’s Ikon Gallery, while Oozells Square is a Japanese-influenced new public space.

2000's

2001

4 star hotel built
A 238-bed, 10 storey, 4 star on-site hotel is built at the entrance to Brindleyplace and becomes the Hilton Garden Inn.

2010

Estate acquired
Brindleyplace is acquired for £190 million by Hines UK in a joint venture with Moorfield Group.

2017

HSBC takes on estate
The majority of the buildings in Brindleyplace are acquired by HSBC Alternative Investments, with Hines UK retained as asset manager.

2019

A rebrand
Brindleyplace undertakes a successful and colourful rebrand and a new, digital led visitor era is hailed for the estate.

2022

Focus on sustainability
Brindleyplace is focusing on both sustainability and wellbeing as more and more staff return to the office, underlining the estate’s outstanding green credentials.

2022

Westside tram extension
Brindleyplace gains its very own tram stop as the West Midlands Metro extends is city centre line out to Edgbaston Village.

2023

Praxis acquires estate
Leading real estate manager Praxis acquires the majority of the Brindleyplace estate from HSBC.

2024

Partnership with BCU
A new partnership with Birmingham City University begins. Major lettings include the whole of One Brindleyplace to Global Banking School.

2025

National Trust launch UK-wide blossom campaign
The National Trust launches its UK-wide spring blossom campaign at Brindleyplace with hundreds of people attending a series of events.

A learning environment for all

Brindleyplace is an accessible and welcoming location in the heart of the city with the ability to tell the story of not just Birmingham, but the wider Industrial Revolution as well as demonstrating the application of modern visitor attractions, architecture, planning and the built environment.

We regularly partner with Birmingham City University to provide content for course work or locations for events and also work closely with our business tenants to help students with mentoring and work experience.

We support educational visits from all age-groups and are happy to provide additional information on request.

To find out more, or to enquire about an educational visit to the estate, please email hello@brindleyplace.com

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