Like many great cities, Birmingham is constantly evolving.
Anyone who hasn't set foot here since 2006 would be mightily shocked at all the changes going on.
But what will the city's built environment look like in another decade's time?
HS2, Arena Central and are three key regeneration schemes which will dramatically change the face of Birmingham forever - but they are only part of a much bigger picture.
There is so much to look forward to that we've compiled a list of some of those developments set to happen around Birmingham to showcase the changing face of the city and what it could look like by 2026.
Bringing London ever closer
Where else could we start other than
A once-in-a-generation, transformational project which, granted, isn't loved by everyone, but by 2026 will slash journey times to London.
The second phase of HS2 should also be well under way by then, to Birmingham too.
Goodbye Axis, hello One Axis Square
Axis - also known as the Atkins building - is a 1970s, grey concrete block which, even its biggest fan would admit, has seen better days.
New plans emerged during 2016 to knock it down and
But it will be brand new and fit for the 21st century and also have three further new buildings next door and a new public square out front, connecting it to its rather larger neighbour Arena Central.
Leading us nicely onto....
Banking on success of Arena Central
When HSBC º£½ÇÊÓƵ says is good enough to house its new headquarters, then you know Birmingham must be doing something right.
Thousands of banking staff signalling to the wider corporate world that the city really is one they should consider for a new regional base or even relocating a º£½ÇÊÓƵ head office to.
Now moving at speed after stalling for so many years, rumours abound as to who else is moving to the site in Broad Street.
The nine-acre development should prove to be a strong focal point whoever signs on the dotted line.
Digging up Digbeth
It would be remiss to focus on just one project in Digbeth as there are so many which are interlinked, if actually being carried out by different developers.
and lead the pack, in terms of size at least, but there are so many other smaller developments on the cards, including
This is coupled with Digbeth's place at the and its proximity to New Street, Bullring and the aforementioned HS2.
Connecting the Digbeth dots
Speaking of which, Midland Metro network over the next few years, enabling people to travel easily from the south of the city into the Colmore Business District and beyond.
As well connecting the area directly to the new HS2 terminal, this should free up roads from traffic and make this whole area of the city a more pleasant place to be.
Right on track for tram expansion
The expansion of the Midland Metro network is long overdue but it is considered vital on so many levels, not least of all to take cars off the road and go some way to tackling Birmingham's horrendous congestion.
Town Hall Birmingham, Broad Street, Hagley Road, Eastside and Birmingham Airport....these are just some of the locales which
Centenary Square
Some people think it looks fine as it is, some think it's beyond help while others can't wait to see it given a makeover.
Whichever side of the fence you sit, Centenary Square will be sporting
Acting as a gateway to major visitor attractions such as Symphony Hall, the ICC and Library of Birmingham - and complete with its own tram stop - Centenary Square could (and perhaps should) become THE public square and event space which many feel Birmingham currently lacks.
Broad Street taking a different turn
Say "Broad Street" to anyone with even a passing knowledge of Birmingham and they will probably recall a stag/hen/21st birthday party involving alcohol/kebabs/partial memory loss.
But residential developers are being attracted to its pockets of vacant land and empty buildings as they try to eke out the limited property supply within the core city centre area.
A car park next to Brindleyplace will while the old Tramps nightclub is to be replaced by a
Throw in for land next to Arena Central and the Tennant Street car park project, currently working and there should be plenty of places to live in this part of town come 2026.
Making Colmore Row that bit nicer for pedestrians
Grand plans are afoot to giving it a sense of arrival for those disembarking trains at the station of the same name.
If you've ever found yourself playing chicken with the buses on the city's premier business address then you'll probably welcome these ideas but the impact on public transport on Colmore Row and its side streets will have to be well considered by planners.
Take a stroll down Church Street or across Colmore Square to see how with wide boulevards, public art and benches, tempting people to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the surroundings.
Bringing new life to an old 'estate'
The Calthorpe Estate in Edgbaston is very historic and has an architectural style all of its own.
Owner Calthorpe Estates deserves credit for generating so much interest there, particularly but now the family-owned property group is spearheading two major regeneration projects - The Village and New Garden Square.
The first, which is well under way, and housing on Greenfield Crescent and its neighbouring streets.
The £300 million New Garden Square, plans for will house apartments, leisure and commercial units around a public space on a 10.7-acre site off Hagley Road, signalling the end to some of Birmingham's
Last but not least, welcome to Paradise
We couldn't look at the future of Birmingham's built environment without mentioning Paradise.
Its mark on the city centre has already been well and truly made after and dug up Paradise Circus island.
But by 2026 it should be as good as done - eight new office buildings, a hotel and public square - all aimed at potentially creating tens of thousands of new jobs in the city.
Many lament the loss of the library and but, love it or loathe it, the £500 million Paradise project will be transformational.
