Re-establishing the city centre as a regional shopping destination by designing an innovative, distinctive scheme.
The aim of the New Retail Quarter (NRQ), is to re-establish the city centre as a regional shopping destination with an innovative, distinctive scheme. Leading European property company, Hammerson plc, is the development partner for the project which will create a new piece of the city. Masterplanned by BDP Architects, it will be based on high quality buildings, pedestrian-dominated streets and striking public squares.
Outputs
- 82,000 sq m of quality retail space
- 200 residential units
- 3,750 full time equivalent jobs
- 500 jobs safeguarded
- 7,500 sq m of public realm improved
- 2,000 car parking spaces.
The NRQ will be retail-led, anchored by John Lewis. The scheme will total 82,000 sq m of retail space, apartments, leisure facilities and car parking. It will broaden the existing retail core, linking the important shopping areas of Fargate and The Moor. The target market is twofold: existing retailers who require larger, better units and those quality retailers who are not already represented in the city.
Progress to Date
Momentum on this project built steadily during 2006. The outline planning application was approved, the development agreement between the city council and Hammerson plc was signed, and the compulsory purchase order process commenced in early 2007 and was comfirmed by the Secretary of State in the summer of 2008. The programme of service diversions enabling works, funded by English Partnerships, got underway and was finished in 2008, whilst construction of the new fire station was completed in January 2009.
Hammerson has appointed a number of individual architects to design different buildings within the scheme, reaffirming Hammerson's commitment to delivering a high quality and diverse urban environment.
As a result of the economic downturn, the scope of the project and design of the scheme is currently being reviewed and it is anticipated that revised propsals should be available later in 2010.
Construction of the NRQ, to be located to the west of Pinstone Street, between Barker's Pool and Moorhead, is currently anticipated to commence in 2012 and take approximately 2 years to complete.
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