Flagship Gateway Plaza Barnsley Regeneration Scheme Completes
All elements of Quest Property and Landmark Development Projects’ major mixed-use Gateway Plaza Barnsley development are now complete, signalling the delivery of one of Remaking Barnsley’s most ambitious and acclaimed regeneration projects.
The pioneering development comprises of the No1 Gateway Plaza 96,000sq ft office building, 188 luxury ‘Plaza Quarter’ apartments and penthouses, a 110 bed Premier Inn Hotel, Glass House bar and Table Table restaurant, an NHS Health Centre and a 548 space car park all situated around a large, central plaza.
Interest in the scheme has been exceptionally high since the concept was unveiled due to the magnitude of the development and the extent to which it proposed to increase the offering within the town by introducing the first city-style living, the first purpose-built hotel and a quality of offices in a league of their own. As development progressed and the changing skyline dramatically altered the approach into Barnsley from J37 of the M1, it became clear to all entering the town that the developers behind Gateway Plaza were delivering their vision.
The scheme continued to attract high levels of interest far and beyond the town’s boundaries and confidence in the commercial element was recognised at an early stage in the development process with the successful securing of £5.2M Objective One funding to deliver a new quality of working environment to Barnsley. The high quality of accommodation attracted tenant Berneslai Homes and shortly after, the NHS Health Centre was incorporated on ground floor level.
National chain, Whitbread PLC, recognised the beneficial location and appeal of Gateway Plaza’s mixed-use environment and signed up to deliver the town’s first ever purpose-built budget hotel with additional restaurant and bar. Following their successful launch earlier this year, Whitbread is fully operational.
The residential element of the scheme has also enjoyed success with all apartments in the first phase sold-out in record time. Now that the final phase has been completed, the developers are undertaking sales and lettings on the remaining apartments which are the first of their kind in Barnsley.
Development Manager for Quest Property, Matthew Stephens, said; “It was unquestionably a bold move to speculatively develop a large, mixed-use scheme of this nature in a town which was just beginning the regeneration process, but right from the outset when we purchased the site, we knew that we had a fantastic opportunity to bring something really special to Barnsley. It is this unfaltering confidence, combined with the strong levels of support we have continually received, that has enabled us to successfully deliver this complex, visionary scheme in what has been widely recognised as a challenging economic climate.”
Chris Gilman, Director of Landmark Development Projects, continued; “We knew that by getting the right blend of national and local occupiers and focussing on high quality of design and build we could create a viable, sustainable environment that would stand the test of time and positively contribute to the long-term regeneration goals of the town. We are incredibly proud of all that we have achieved at Gateway Plaza and are delighted to see our commercial tenants flourish and for people to experience apartment living in Barnsley for the first time.”
With all completed and pipeline Remaking Barnsley projects accounted for, in total over £380M is being invested into the town of which £211M is funded by the private sector. Head of Remaking Barnsley, Mahmood Azam, explains; “We are now a third of the way through the Strategic Development Framework which aims to create a thriving 21st Century market town through outlining projects and changes to progress the town over a 30 year timeframe. So much has already been achieved with many significant Remaking Barnsley projects now complete and Barnsley is truly a town transformed.
“We cannot underestimate the importance of developers, such as Landmark and Quest, having the vision to deliver groundbreaking schemes such as Gateway Plaza which plays such a vital role in the continued regeneration of the town and its long-term appeal as a place to live, do business and socialise.”
Deputy Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr John Parkinson, concluded; “It is fantastic to see the delivery of Gateway Plaza which is without doubt one of the town’s most important projects having delivered a broad range of high quality amenities within one destination. I applaud the developers for their commitment to the town’s regeneration and their tenacity in bringing this wonderful scheme to life.”