Solihull Council in the UK has selected property developer Muse as its preferred development partner to deliver the Mell Square shopping centre regeneration project.
Muse secured the contract following a competitive bidding process with a multidisciplinary team that included landscape and urban designer Planit, architect Howells, and planning consultant Turley.
The developer will take part in delivering a complete renovation of Mell Square over a span of ten years, thereby bolstering the growing town centre.
The scope of this redevelopment project will include the construction of a mixed-use residential community to provide more housing options for current communities and to attract new residents, particularly younger people, to Solihull.
The project also intends to bring in new restaurants, bars, and retailers to enhance the town centre’s current offerings and broaden its nighttime economy, provide flexible public spaces and routes that better link Mell Square to the larger town centre, and become a hub of activity for business, meetings, and relaxation.
This first phase will see the restoration of the vacant House of Fraser building.
Solihull Council leader and Economy portfolio holder councillor Ian Courts said: “Today’s announcement marks a crucial milestone in our plans to transform and re-energise the heart of our town centre.
“As well as creating new space for high-quality retailers, restaurateurs, independent businesses and providing a range of new housing right in the heart of the town centre, this scheme will also bring benefits for the wider borough in terms of investment, new jobs and training opportunities.
“Over time, new communities making their homes in our town centre will bring a boost to local businesses and feed our growing evening economy.”
According to the council, it will focus on obtaining its cabinet's approval for a development agreement with Muse.
Following the receipt of public approval and planning, the first phase of this long-term restoration could begin as early as late 2025.
