Arden Cross Limited, the consortium behind the £3.2 billion, mixed-use commercial and residential destination at the heart of the Midlands, has agreed a landmark development deal with national developer, Muse.

The agreement will see the 140 Ha (346-acre) Arden Cross regeneration move forward with one of the UK’s leading names in mixed-use development, who has the appetite, as well as a proven, 37-year track record of delivering complex places in partnership that bring positive, generational benefits to communities.

Arden Cross Limited is a special purpose delivery vehicle created by landowners Birmingham City Council, Packington Estate and Coleshill Estate to drive forward the potential of the site where the new HS2 Interchange station is already under construction and will provide fast connections across the country, including direct links to central London in just 38 minutes. The Arden Cross masterplan builds upon this exceptional connectivity at the very heart of the country, with its co-location alongside the NEC campus, Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International station.

Muse makes the perfect partner for pushing ahead with plans to create 3,000 new homes, up to 6 million sq ft of employment space and up to 27,000 new jobs. The first phase of development could come forward as early as 2025 and could see a range of facilities and employment opportunities created.
The link up with Muse comes swiftly after Arden Cross Limited recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and with the University of Warwick to explore opportunities for bringing forward a new Medical & Technology Campus to deliver world-beating innovation in the healthcare and technology sectors.

Wider partners in the development which forms part of the UK Central Hub also include HS2, Department for Transport, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Urban Growth Company who are working together to deliver a range of shared priorities.

Ben Gray, Project Director with Arden Cross Ltd, said: ‘Arden Cross is focused on delivering sustainable growth for the region and the whole of the UK and we know Muse will help us achieve this. We’re committed to working together to capitalise on the masterplan principles and deliver transformational change for the region while creating a world leading economic hub for the UK in a unique public-private partnership that leverages the superb connectivity of Arden Cross.’

Maggie Grogan, Development Director for Muse, said: ‘This is a truly unique opportunity to bring forward a landmark destination for the UK that’s a beacon for growth in the Midlands and we’re immensely proud to be joining the team. As a business, we’re committed to delivering sustainable regeneration at pace, while at the same time bringing real, tangible benefits to communities and we can’t wait to get started.’

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, said: ‘This is another vote of confidence in Solihull and the region and our shared commitment to net zero carbon by 2030. A green, accessible and thriving new destination for the UK, Arden Cross has the potential to really add to our regional and national economy and the news that an experienced organisation like Muse is on board will fuel our ability to reach our objectives.’