As the Saying Goes "an Englishman's Home is his Castle"

BIRMINGHAM, England, March 9 /PRNewswire/ --

Recently named 'European City of the Future', Birmingham, UK, with the
youngest population in Europe, is having to creatively manage how it
prepares its real estate to meet future needs.

Without losing the heritage of the city, the red brick Victorian
buildings or the Georgian town houses; Birmingham is carefully mixing
old with new. Iconic buildings such as the new Selfridges have
received international acclaim and the development of 1960s urban
boxes into high end, destination mixed use schemes, such as Mailbox
have set an unrivalled trend.

From commercial property, retail, leisure, tourism to residential, the
City is now actively looking to attract national and international
developers as well as investors to Birmingham. At the World's largest
property exhibition, MIPIM, taking place in France (14th-17th March
2006), Birmingham will be showcasing itself on the world stage and
highlighting the opportunities available.

Keen to regenerate, expand and grow, the UK's 'second city' is leading
Europe in its bold approach to planning and regeneration.

- Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK with a population of
close to one million;

- The city is the regional capital of the West Midlands, which has a
population of 5.3 million, a large, flexible and motivated workforce
of nearly 2.5 million, and a client base of 182,000 companies;

- Renowned for its strong manufacturing base, Birmingham boasts a
rapidly expanding financial and services sector, has become a
fast-growing centre for hi-tech industry, and is one of Europe's
foremost conference and event destinations;

- Birmingham is a cosmopolitan regional capital with 98% of the UK
market - customers and businesses within a four hour drive time;

- With 17,000 graduates every year from Birmingham's three
universities and a labour force of some 1.5 million people in the
immediate urban area, Birmingham is a fast moving, growing and highly
recognised city, a shining example;

- The city also enjoys a strategic position, being at the hub of the
UK's road and rail network, with excellent worldwide air connections;
SOURCE Marketing Birmingham