MSc Real Estate: Birmingham 2017

(some of) the MSc Real Estate students at Snow Hill with Rebecca Gee

During the second week of November, the students on the MSc Real Estate went on a field trip to one of the contenders for the title of England's second city: Birmingham (although not everyone in Manchester would agree). The field trip is designed to introduce the postgraduate students to issues of sustainable use and development in the context of specific commercial and residential property markets and to:

• develop an understanding of sustainable use and development
• examine the use, investment and development of commercial and residential property
• set commercial  and residential property in a wider economic, social and legal context

Birmingham has traditionally been regarded as England’s second city, but has long been thought of as a less-than-glamorous destination. The major development plan for Birmingham was launched in 2010 and lays out a 20-year vision known as The Big City Plan. Birmingham is changing and has a lot more to offer than previously thought...the Guardian has produced the 'Alt City Guide to Birmingham'. Click on the red links for more information. Photos by Danielle Sidoli and David Shiers.

After arriving in Birmingham, the students attended a presentation from David Smeeton (Cushman & Wakefield) which gave an investment overview of Birmingham. Then they walked to Snow Hill and visited the marketing suite at 3 Snow Hill for a talk by Richard Proctor from the Ballymore Group, on the development taking place at Snow Hill - which has been likened to Canary Wharf - click on the link and judge for yourself or watch the video. After checking into their hotel, the students met at Pizza Express in Brindley Place for the group meal.

On tour in the city centre: the ICC (and Symphony Hall), the Library of Birmingham and the Selfridges building

Brindley Place

Mailbox 

The next day, the students split into two groups: for a walking tour of the city centre (see photos above) and to visit the development sites at 2 and 3 Snowhill (see photos below).

Inside 3 Snow Hill

...for a guided tour and talks on the structural design of the building, its cladding/curtain walling system, the energy and other building services systems used...

 ...as well as sustainability issues and the importance of flexible office areas.

And the outside, showing the development of 2 and 3 Snowhill (2 Snowhill will house the new HS2 team in Birmingham) 

Exploring the city and its nightlife

The next (and final day) and the students walked to Paradise Circus for a presentation about the development from Rob Groves of Argent. Then it was on to Knight Frank (Birmingham Office) to meet Hannah Badger for a walk around the residential development on Pershore Street and the building at 1 Colmore Row, part of the Colmore Business District. And then home to Oxford.

For more information on the MSc Real Estate, take a look at our website, or the MSc Real Estate section on the blog:

MSc Real Estate on the Brookes website
MSc Real Estate on the Hot Property blog