IN DEPTH: Charles Street Buildings Group is working up plans for a major mixed-use development in Leicester’s Waterside area.
In its first ever interview the private, family-run property company tells EG about discussions with Leicester city council to regenerate its eight-acre site which links it to Hammerson’s Highcross shopping and leisure centre and the River Soar.
The company’s plans include a new, vibrant quarter in the city centre of up to 650,000 sq ft. Plans also feature transforming the outdated Leicester Central railway station on Great Central Street into a 100-bedroom boutique hotel, while removing part of the existing viaduct to create independent shops, cafés, bars and restaurants alongside public open spaces.
Meanwhile, 110,000 sq ft of new space – comprising 90,000 sq ft of offices and 20,000 sq ft of A3 space could be provided in two new buildings on the neighbouring one-acre Stibbe site as the first phase of development. The second phase could see a further 450,000-500,000 sq ft of mixed-use development – perhaps including a multi-storey car park on a site that currently houses redundant industrial stock.
The company is working with the council to try to resolve highway constraints in the area involving rerouting the A50.
“That’s the only way this development can work,” says Joseph Murphy director and group solicitor (pictured left with chairman Hugh Murphy). “If negotiations are successful, the firm intends to submit a planning application later this year.”
CSB is Leicestershire’s largest private landlord and the East Midlands’ richest property company, according the EG’s Rich List 2014. This week, it gives its first ever interview to Estates Gazette.
