Birmingham's Mailbox shopping arcade opened just before Christmas 2000. The mailbox is one of the newest prestige buildings to be added to the growing collection. Advertised as Britain's largest mixed use building the mailbox will soon have a brand new square at the entrance.

What is suprising about the mailbox is the sheer length of the arcade. The upper floor goes even further and opens into a courtyard. The Mailbox is a landmark building in Birmingham city centre's ongoing renaissance. Since opening in December 2000, it has fast become a key attraction alongside the city's existing tourism and visitor destinations.

This unique development offers a truly integrated lifestyle choice for the first time in the city's history. It brings together designer fashion and lifestyle shops, luxury apartments, two hotels, secure 24 hour parking and an array of restaurants and café bars. All in an exclusive waterside setting only two or three minutes walk from New Street station.

The Mailbox has created an exclusive new district for the city. As Birmingham's answer to Bond Street, Wharfside Street is a 200 metre open-air pedestrian route carved dramatically through the full length of The Mailbox. It features the largest collection of standalone designer stores outside London including international brands such as Emporio Armani, Harvey Nichols, DKNY, Polo Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.

There are a variety of lifestyle stores alongside the designer retail stores in The Mailbox, including the recently opened Aga Shop incorporating Fired Earth through to Bang & Olufsen, Descamps and The Artlounge, a contemporary art gallery.

The Mailbox also features leading hair and beauty salon Toni and Guy Essensuals as well as Obsession Salon and Day Spa, providing shoppers with an oasis in the heart of the city.

There is the wide variety of stylish restaurants and café bars on offer from Indian cuisine (Café Lazeez) and Japanese (Shogun Noodle Bar) to Italian (Zizzi) and modern new Mexican (Santa fe). Catering for all tastes and budgets, a visit to the many waterside restaurants and café bars makes a perfect post-shopping retreat.

The Mailbox is also the regional home to some of the UK's leading businesses, including Railtrack, Cable & Wireless and as of Autumn, BBC in the Midlands. The Mailbox also has the UK's largest Malmaison hotel and express hotel Days Inn.

If you are looking for a fun way to get to The Mailbox, why not take the waterbus along the canalside from the International Convention Centre, Brindleyplace or Gas Street Basin.