Work starts on Chester’s commercial quarter
CONSTRUCTION work has started on One City Place, a six-storey office development at the heart of Chester’s £100m Central Business Quarter.
The 70,000 sq ft of office space is being developed speculatively by Muse Developments and represents the first of seven office buildings, marking one of Chester’s most significant business developments in the city centre in recent years.
The BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated building, due for completion in October 2015, will feature a large ground floor foyer and reception area with five upper floors offering flexible office space and floor to ceiling glazing.
Work will also start in the next couple of months on remodelling part of the Grade II* listed Chester Railway Station building and former rail car park to create a new landscaped attractive public realm area and gateway from the station into the Central Business Quarter.
By 2028, it is planned that Chester’s Central Business Quarter, as part of the wider One City Plan, will offer a total of 440,000 sq ft of state-of-the art office space and public realm creating around 3,500 jobs.
The whole scheme includes 200 homes, restaurants and leisure facilities and car parking for the station, offices and residents. It will also include the redevelopment of the former Leadworks and Shot Tower for residential use by Neptune Developments and the transformation of the Boughton Retail Centre to create a new Waitrose store and associated retail units.
Phil Mayall, development director at Muse, said: “Starting on site at City Place marks an important chapter in the new Central Business Quarter, which will play a major role in the renaissance of Chester’s commercial offering. As an integral part of the business quarter, City Place will help to drive economic growth, bring new businesses and jobs into the city and set new standards for first class, sustainable business space.”
Eric Langton, chairman of Chester Renaissance, said: “This is a hugely important development. To attract businesses offering first class jobs and opportunities, Chester has to provide quality office accommodation in a convenient location and attractive environment. One City Place, as part of the first phase of the Central Business Quarter, ticks all the boxes. It is a significant part of the unfolding One City Plan which will give Chester a future to be as proud of as we are of our past.”
