The West Midlands is set to have a landmark year for commercial property construction according to the findings of construction data specialist Barbour ABI.



Barbour’s data suggests the region has a the largest number of pipeline construction projects outside London with around 600,000 sq m of commercial property due to be constructed.



Historically, the North West and Yorkshire are the two regions that generally have the most construction projects pending outside London, however the West Midlands now reports to have the same national share of construction projects as the North West and Yorkshire put combined (around 11%), with developments including One and Two Chamberlain Square and Beorma Quarter Masterplan, which are jointly worth £700m.

With the HS2 construction headquarters being built in the area and the National Construction College being based in the West Midlands it makes a lot of sense that construction bosses turn their attention to the activity in the region as there are bound to a lot of opportunities.



It’s believed that the relatively high cost and low volumes of available space in and around the capital are forcing developers to look elsewhere and the West Midlands with it’s central location and prime infrastructure connections – which are promised to become even better with the delivery of HS2 and road network improvements – are seeing the West Midlands becoming the obvious option for new UK development.



Michael Dall, lead economist for Barbour ABI, said: "A shift in regional confidence has acted as a catalyst for regeneration in Birmingham's city centre, which has been further bolstered through spend from overseas and HS2 plans that are working together to solidify its once shaky status as the UK's second city.



"When both foreign and domestic investment rise in sync with demand, there is a real opportunity for the West Midlands to capitalise and the commercial market looks set to bear fruit imminently."