The Bullring in Birmingham is the UK’s largest city centre-based shopping centre and has been an important feature of the city since the Middle Ages, when it’s market was first held. This major redevelopment included 1,585,00 sq ft of retail space over four levels, with 3,100 car parking spaces. During construction, this was the largest retail regeneration project in Europe.
We provided structural engineering on the project from concept through to construction and still work with Hammerson on the scheme to this day, delivering everything from tenant fit out to extensions and repurposing various parts of the centre, with the collaboration now extending to Grand Central.
The shopping centre itself consists of two main buildings (East and West Mall) which are connected by an underground passage lined with shops. The main shopping concourse is sheltered by a glass roof known as the SkyPlane which covers 75,000 sq ft and was carefully designed to appear as if there is no visible means of support.
Further works included the refurbishment of the listed Rotunda building, restoration of St Martin’s Church, reconstruction of the Old Moor Street station for Chiltern Railways, and the construction of a new indoor market and multi-storey car parks.
Client: Hammerson
Architect: Benoy Architects
