A major new development opportunity in Leicester has come to market.
Leicester city council is launched a search for a developer to redevelop its outdated 1970s HQ, New Walk Centre.
The local authority will vacate the complex – which comprises two towers of nine and 14 storeys – by the end of the year.
The towers will be demolished in 2014 with a view to clearing and starting work on developing the 1.7-acre site as soon as possible afterwards.
A mix of uses, including large grade-A office development, leisure, hotel and conference facilities, and shops and restaurants around a new civic open space is being proposed as the council’s preferred vision for the site.
The local authority is offering the freehold interest, plus the adjacent 0.2 acre cleared site at the junction of Marlborough Street and Welford Road if required.
Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, said: “New Walk Centre is a prime city-centre site and its staff bring in a huge amount of trade to the surrounding shops, restaurants and businesses. I expect the city council to be an important part of the mix of new users to the site. It is vital to that part of the city that when we leave, the site is redeveloped as soon as is practically possible.”
The council’s development brief for the site can be viewed here.
Developers have until 17 May to submit expressions of interest.
lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com
