MSc Real Estate: Birmingham 2016

MSc Real Estate 2016-17

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 property
• set commercial property in a wider economic, social, political 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. Regular updates on regeneration projects appear in the Birmingham Post (a great site). Birmingham is changing and has a lot more to offer than previously thought. Interestingly, the Guardian has just produced the 'Alt City Guide to Birmingham'. Click on the red links for more information. Photos by Ibrahim Naseer and David Shiers.

The itinerary (not including extra-curricular activities)...

Monday 7 November
After arriving in Birmingham, the students attended a presentation on the Paradise Project by Theo Holmes (CBRE) and Ross Fittall and Sunil Johal (Project Directors, Argent). And then met for a group meal in the evening.

Listening to the presentation about the Paradise Project

The model and...

...the real thing.

The Library of Birmingham...located next to the Paradise Project area.

Tuesday 8 November 
Breakfast, and then a walk to Bilfinger GVA in Brindleyplace for a series of presentations:

• Retail – Gary Bucknall
• Ratings – Rob Smith
• Q&A Session with Bilfinger GVA
• Offices – George Jenning

Next was a walking tour of Mailbox and Grand Central shopping centres, finishing at the Bullring. The students moved onto Fort Dunlop (developed by Urban Splash) in the afternoon for a tour and a measurement exercise.

On the way to Brindleyplace...

...for a presentation from Bilfinger GVA.

The shopping centre tour - inside Mailbox.

On the way up to...

...Grand Central.

And finally the iconic Selfridges store at Bullring.

In the afternoon, on the top of Fort Dunlop. Which looks like a film set.

And the view.

Wednesday 9 November 
A walk to Savills (Innovation Court) for a guided walking tour of Southside, Digbeth (the creative quarter) and Moor Street with Siobhan McCrystal and Sarah Gregory from Savills. The students then took a bus to the Jewellery Quarter to look at a number of sites. This was followed by an overview presentation by Savills and lunch. Then, back to Oxford.

On the walking tour...Southside.

Digbeth.

And Digbeth (the field trip mascot) in Digbeth with David Shiers and Nick French.

For more information about the MSc Real Estate, take a look at the website or the other posts on this blog.