Mailbox Birmingham
Shopping Center | Birmingham | England | United Kingdom
Luxury shopping center Birmingham
The "Mailbox Birmingham" Shopping Centre, often simply known as "The Mailbox," is one of the most prestigious and exclusive shopping centers in Birmingham, England, and a significant landmark in the city center. It opened in December 2000 and was created from the conversion of a former Royal Mail sorting center, which was completed in 1970 and at that time was the largest mechanized mail and parcel sorting office in the country. The center spans approximately 64,000 square meters and offers a mix of retail, dining, leisure, office, and residential spaces, making it one of the largest mixed-use projects in the UK outside of London. With construction costs of around £150 million and a comprehensive renovation in 2013, "The Mailbox" has established itself as a premium lifestyle destination in the Midlands, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Fine dining restaurants canal
The shopping offerings at "Mailbox Birmingham" focus on luxury and designer brands, setting the center apart from typical high street shopping centers. The main tenant is Harvey Nichols, a British luxury department store that opened in 2001 as the first anchor tenant and, following an expansion in 2015, now covers over 4,000 square meters. It features over 200 exclusive brands in women's and men's fashion, beauty products, as well as food and wine, complemented by services such as beauty treatments and a style concierge service. Other designer shops, such as Emporio Armani, Paul Smith, Gieves & Hawkes, and Ribble Cycles, a bicycle store with a showroom, enhance the focus on high-end retail. The offering is completed by smaller, specialized shops like Castle Fine Art, which hosts rotating art exhibitions, making the center appealing even to art lovers.
Architecture Mailbox Birmingham
In addition to shopping, "The Mailbox" is a significant dining and leisure destination. It hosts a variety of restaurants and bars, many of which overlook the Worcester and Birmingham Canal that runs along the back of the center. Notable establishments include Côte Brasserie for French cuisine, Zizzi and Pizza Express for Italian specialties, Miller & Carter Steakhouse, and Aluna, known for its cocktails and Asian-inspired dishes. For fine dining experiences, the "Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill" on the top floor of the adjacent The Cube offers spectacular views of the city. Leisure options include the Everyman Cinema, a boutique cinema with three screens that has been offering luxurious film screenings with food and drink service since 2014, as well as the opportunity to watch live radio and television productions at the public foyer of the BBC Birmingham Studios.
Leisure activities at Mailbox
The architecture of "Mailbox Birmingham" is modern and impressive, with elements of the original structure preserved. The building was redesigned by Associated Architects, an award-winning firm from Birmingham, integrating the steel framework of the old sorting center into a contemporary design. A significant renovation in 2013 led by Stanton Williams added a glass roof over the central atrium, allowing natural light in and enhancing the shopping experience. The adjacent The Cube, designed by Make Architects, represents the final phase of development and adds another dimension with its rooftop restaurant, boutique hotel, and residential units. Its canal-side location with access to towpaths and proximity to Gas Street Basin gives the center a picturesque, almost urban resort atmosphere.
Designer brands at Mailbox
The center's transport links are excellent. It features its own parking garage with approximately 700 spaces, operated by Q-Park, as well as good public transport connections with Birmingham New Street station just a few minutes' walk away. This accessibility makes it attractive for both local visitors and day-trippers from the Midlands. The pedestrian zone in front of the entrance was designed in collaboration with the city of Birmingham to improve access from the train station and other parts of the city center.
Throughout its history, "The Mailbox" has undergone several changes. After its opening in 2000, it became the new home of BBC Birmingham Studios in 2004, which had previously been located at Pebble Mill. The 2013 renovation, which cost over £50 million, doubled the space of Harvey Nichols and added new retailers to future-proof the center. Despite its success, there is criticism: some visitors complain about the limited variety of stores beyond the luxury sector and the high parking fees, while others lament the shift from original top brands to a more mixed offering. Nevertheless, "The Mailbox" remains an economic driver and social hub, supported by events such as art exhibitions or seasonal promotions.
