West Midlands university to sell off campus - saying it 'represents a compelling opportunity for developer

The University of Birmingham has appointed the Birmingham-based development team at CBRE to sell part of its former Selly Oak campus.

The freehold 8.9-acre site is located on the A38 Bristol Road, one mile from its main campus , in a desirable part of Birmingham with easy access to the city centre.

The property is being marketed as a prime redevelopment site with the opportunity to incorporate new build development alongside the retention of existing listed and heritage buildings within an attractive green and parkland environment.

The sale of the vacant site will fund expansion and development for the university at its Edgbaston Campus, form a key part of its 2045 Campus Vision and support its ambition to be recognised among the world’s top 50 universities.

CBRE said the vision outlines a programme of improvements that will be made over the next 20 years, including enhanced sustainability, an improved student experience and capacity for future growth.

The real estate business’s Birmingham development team was appointed to find a suitable buyer for the campus on the back of a string of successes for the team.

Jack Jones, associate director at CBRE, said: “Selly Oak campus represents a compelling opportunity for developers to deliver a high-quality scheme in a well-established and well-connected part of Birmingham. The site itself is a blank canvas, ideal for any purpose from housing to a care facility. The heritage buildings add character and are a selling point to the right buyer.

“Birmingham continues to attract significant investment, and opportunities of this scale and quality remain limited. We are already seeing encouraging levels of interest and look forward to working with the university to secure the right outcome for the site.”

Steve Jordan, director of estates at the University of Birmingham, added: “We are proudly rooted in the city of Birmingham and in the local communities that we’ve been a part of for the last 125 years. Recognising and appreciating the heritage status of the site, we will work closely with CBRE to find the right expertise and investment for the area. We look forward to seeing see how the site will be restored and given new purpose.”

CBRE and the university are looking to appoint a preferred buyer this year, they said.