We’re delighted to announce that Axis is playing a lead role in the design and delivery of Nottingham’s biggest regeneration scheme in decades, The Island Quarter.
The city’s derelict Boots factory site will be transformed into a dynamic new neighbourhood with a mixed-use commercial and residential scheme that will deliver new homes, grade A offices, a co-working and creative space, lifestyle hotels, student accommodation and a wide range of food and beverage outlets.
Once complete, the development will create thousands of jobs, bolster the local economy and enhance existing on and off-site pedestrian and cyclist connections to help strengthen links with adjoining areas.
Phase 1
The first phase of this 40-acre development, known as Canal Turn, began in 2021 and will comprise a new area of public realm with a landmark waterfront building and a contemporary bandstand when finished.
Set to become a new focal point for the Nottingham entertainment scene, the development will host concerts and events all year round. The three-storey 2,000 sqm building has been designed to house two restaurants, event space with panoramic views and a large rooftop terrace.
Axis has been heavily involved in the scheme from the beginning, being responsible for all town planning, external works design and transportation planning services.
Jon Mason, Landscape Technical Director at Axis, said: “Placemaking has been central to Axis’ work on the new public realm areas in Canal Turn. This development will be the first step in providing a setting for a wide range of community activities.
“The focus is very much on the customer experience: we’re making sure we create an external environment where people feel comfortable, want to spend time and want to return to.”
An engaging cultural destination
The aim for this development is to create a cultural and entertainment destination that’s accessible to and engaging for all types of people.
“It will be a place that’s well known both for the major events throughout the year and special one-off concerts but also an attractive, comfortable place to spend time with friends and family at any time of the day, any day of the week,” Jon adds.
A green ribbon of open spaces will provide active travel connectivity through the site and create areas for the new community and its visitors to relax, exercise and enjoy the open air.
Christopher Ware, Director at Conygar, the developer behind the scheme, commented: “We’ve worked very closely with the city council and the design team to put together a development that will transform this part of the city centre and become a new destination and community for the future of Nottingham.”
David Jones, Director at Axis, said: “Working on The Island Quarter scheme with Conygar has been a great experience for the Axis team and it’s fantastic to see the proposals taking shape onsite at Canal Turn.
“This initial first phase will set the tone of what is to come in the wider development and represents an exciting new dawn for this forgotten part of the city. Its focus on placemaking will ensure it’s a sustainable destination in every sense for future generations.”
Key to the development’s success will be a public realm that has variety and distinctiveness but that also delivers an environment that’s responsive to the buildings and activities within it.
The Axis team has brought its planning and placemaking expertise to the table to make a significant contribution to the scheme’s progress so far and we’re now making headway on the second part of the first phase of The Island Quarter, Phase 1B, which includes a 223-bed hotel, more than 240 build-to-rent apartments, co-working space and an extensive food and beverage area.
