Birmingham's 'Zombie Quarter' Set for Dramatic Resurrection on New Street
A long-neglected section of Birmingham's busiest thoroughfare, New Street, often referred to as the 'Zombie Quarter', is poised for a significant revival after years of inactivity. This area, directly opposite the vibrant Chicken Quarter known for its bustling eateries, may soon shed its dormant status thanks to newly approved redevelopment plans.
The Historic Building at the Heart of the Transformation
The focal point of this regeneration is the Grade II-listed structure at 92-93 New Street. Currently, its ground floor features closed food joints like Eat4Less and Fat Burgers, both displaying bailiff signs, while only a few businesses remain operational nearby, including the longstanding La Galleria Italian restaurant and Autograph fashion boutique, which has been trading since 1988.
This building holds far more historical significance than its current vacant state suggests. Originally constructed as a 19th-century Masonic Hall, it later transformed into one of Birmingham's earliest cinema complexes, operating under various names such as the Theatre De Luxe, The Regent, The Forum, and ABC New Street. For decades, it served as a beloved entertainment hub in the city center.
Remarkably, much of the original cinema architecture remains preserved within the unused upper floors, creating a hidden time capsule of Birmingham's cultural heritage.
Approved Redevelopment Plans and Key Details
In November 2024, Birmingham City Council granted planning permission for a comprehensive redevelopment project that will convert the building into new retail spaces and office facilities. The approved plans include:
- Adding two storeys above the existing structure, replacing a 1920s extension with a slate-clad attic level featuring dormer windows.
- Replacing existing shopfront windows with bronze-framed alternatives.
- Undertaking selective demolition work to restore missing sections of the historic Masonic Hall façade.
- Increasing the internal floor area from 3,458 square meters to 5,131 square meters.
- Sacrificing two ground-floor retail units to create entrance areas for the new office spaces above.
The planning permission comes with specific conditions that developers must meet, including completing all work within five years (by November 2029), implementing noise control measures during construction, and addressing drainage requirements while providing bird and bat boxes to support local wildlife.
Ownership and Implementation Timeline
Staffordshire County Council submitted the planning application on behalf of the Staffordshire Pension Fund, which owns the property. The council clarified that while it facilitated the application process, it has no active involvement in the redevelopment itself. The Pension Fund's property portfolio managers will oversee the project implementation.
With less than four years remaining until the planning permission expires, the project faces typical development challenges including securing adequate funding and attracting future tenants for the commercial spaces.
Broader Context of New Street Regeneration
This redevelopment aligns with broader efforts to revitalize New Street, which is currently undergoing construction as part of a comprehensive upgrade initiative. Further along the street toward the Bullring, another historic building, King Edward House, recently completed a four-year transformation into a modern office building with a ground-floor retail unit expected to become a Japanese restaurant called Maki and Ramen.
The potential revival of the former ABC Cinema building represents a significant step in Birmingham's ongoing urban regeneration, potentially breathing new life into a historically important structure that has stood dormant for too long. While the transformation may require several years to complete, it promises to restore vibrancy to this strategic city center location.
