Move Over Paris: Middlehaven Plans Unveiled

Friday, 5th January 2007

Type: Editors Picks

Categories: What's New

A brave new world has been unveiled for Middlesbrough's Middlehaven site in an initiative that will open eyes, mouths and minds across the globe. Middlesbrough's plans for a groundbreaking carbon neutral waterfront development have already won architecture's answer to an 'oscar' at one of the world's most prestigious property events, outshining the likes of other short-listed projects in Dublin, Hong Kong, St Petersburg, Paris, Turkey and London.

The £200 million project is estimated to create 750 new homes, 1000 new jobs and it will be the biggest carbon neutral development in the UK. In terms of ambition, the North East has simply never seen anything like it before.
Developers Bioregional Quintain will create a community where people will live in a series of individually designed sugar cube apartment blocks, each one described as a neighbourhood in a box. These boxes may resemble a wine rack or the toppling tower game Jenga. Work is due to begin on the first set of sugar cubes this year and the entire project should be complete by 2012.

A pontoon of pleasure boats will float in the shadow of the brightly coloured complexes, one of which looks like a beehive. Another resembles an upturned wooden bucket complete with balconies that appear to have been based on the sugary sweets Refreshers. Two purpose built streets will stretch right out into the heart of the River Tees complete with shops, stylish bars, cafés and restaurants and a luxury hotel.

Developers Quintain have taken on major leisure and housing projects in London, on the site of the Millennium Dome and the new Wembley Stadium complex. So why have they come to Teesside?

Deputy Chief Executive Nick Shattock says the architectural ambition of Middlehaven is incredible and it's hard to turn down the chance to develop one million square feet of real estate.

"We like the people, we like the college, we like the stadium. We think the iconic nature of the master plan is inspired. We've got five great architects initiating and building out the (Will) Alsop master plan. The other point is the zero carbon development. It will show London zero carbon can be done and will change the way developments like this are carried out across the country."

Chief Executive of Tees Valley Regeneration, Joe Docherty, is delighted with the scheme.

"There is no doubt that the plans for the site are innovative head-turning and sustainable. This is a huge deal in the property world"

David West, partner in Studio Egret West said: "The project is a testimony to the courage and vision of both Tees Valley Regeneration and BioRegional Quintain to follow differentiating path and their determination to create a new type of destination and home."

Tees Valley Regeneration

BBC Tees - Regeneration

Gazette Live - Regeneration Focus