Birmingham’s Big City Plan sets out a 20‑year vision to reinvigorate the city centre and surrounding districts. By 2038 it will deliver over 1.5 million m² of new development, 5,000 new homes, 65,000 m² of public realm improvements and an additional 50,000 jobs (Birmingham City Council – Development Plan). Early results are already visible in property values and rental growth, making now a pivotal moment for investors seeking premium returns.

What is the Big City Plan?

Launched in 2010 by Birmingham City Council, the Big City Plan provides a strategic framework for city‑centre renewal. It focuses on four core aims:

  1. Creating new neighbourhoods with mixed‑use developments that blend residential, retail, leisure and workspace.
  2. Enhancing public realm through parks, squares and pedestrian‑friendly streets.
  3. Integrating transport networks including HS2, Metro extensions and new bus corridors.
  4. Promoting sustainability via low‑carbon buildings, biodiversity corridors and cycle networks.

This blueprint is unique in its scale and ambition, targeting a population increase of some 100,000 residents in the city centre and a £2.1 billion uplift to the local economy each year.

Key Projects under the Big City Plan

The Big City Plan comprises a series of landmark schemes that have already begun to influence local property markets.

Greater Icknield & Eastern Growth Corridor

Located immediately east of the city core, this corridor will deliver thousands of new homes, alongside retail and office space. Its masterplan emphasises walkable streets, tree‑lined boulevards and secure cycle routes. Early completions have seen apartment values rise by 8 % year‑on‑year, according to Savills (Savills – Birmingham regeneration).

Smithfield

Smithfield is a mixed‑use expansion to the north of St Chad’s Circus, featuring up to 1,000 new homes, boutique shopping streets and public squares. Designed with a focus on sustainable materials and green roofs, Smithfield is already commanding an average price premium of 12 % over neighbouring districts (ONS).

Eastside City Park Extension

Building on the success of the first phase, the park extension will add waterside leisure facilities and performance spaces. Properties adjacent to the park have reported rental yields of 6.5 %, compared to the city average of 5.3 % (Rightmove Rental Trends).

Transport Integration

Perhaps the most transformative element is the connection to HS2’s Curzon Street station. Journey times to London will fall to 52 minutes, creating a new commuter ring around Eastside and Digbeth (HS2 Ltd). Areas within a 1 km radius of the station have seen price growth of 15 % over the last two years, outpacing broader city‑centre rates.

The Big City Plan Effect on Property Values in 2025

Strong Capital Appreciation

  • Prime apartment values in forthcoming districts such as Greater Icknield are up 10–12 % year‑on‑year.
  • New build family homes in the Eastern Growth Corridor command a £50,000 premium over existing stock.

This outperformance reflects both genuine demand and investor confidence in the long‑term strategy underpinning the plan.

Elevated Rental Yields

  • Average city‑centre yields have climbed from 4.8 % in 2020 to 5.4 % in mid‑2025, driven by strong tenant demand and limited stock (Zoopla Rental Market Report Q2 2025).
  • Specific pockets, such as Digbeth Creative Quarter, now offer yields of up to 7 %, thanks to new build to rent stock linked to HS2 connectivity.

Institutional Investment and Developer Interest

Major institutional players and listed developers are increasingly targeting Big City Plan sites. JLL report that over £750 million of commercial investment has been committed to key zones in the first half of 2025 (JLL – UK City Investment Markets Q2 2025). This influx of capital drives superior infrastructure, amenity provision and market liquidity.

Investment Opportunities for High‑Net‑Worth Investors

  1. Off‑plan apartments in Greater Icknield: Early purchasers can secure units at discounts of up to 15 %, with anticipated capital growth of 20 % by 2028.
  2. Mixed‑use units in Smithfield: Ground floor retail units are pre‑let to boutique operators, offering stable income streams and inflation‑linked rents.
  3. Build‑to‑rent schemes near Curzon Street: Target yields of 6–7 %, backed by institutional guarantees.

To maximise returns, investors should engage with local specialists for stock availability and negotiate bespoke purchase options that include guaranteed rental programmes.

Conclusion

The Big City Plan is already reshaping Birmingham’s property landscape in 2025, delivering outsized capital growth and rental performance. With major schemes like Greater Icknield, Smithfield and HS2 connectivity at Curzon Street driving demand, savvy investors can harness this momentum for premium returns. For detailed investment advice and access to off‑market opportunities within Big City Plan corridors, contact our team today.

To explore branded residence opportunities and receive expert advice, visit our news updates at https://tkpg.co.uk/news/ or contact our team at https://tkpg.co.uk/contact-us/.

Birmingham the big city plan