NEWS
Vision – the Gresham development will include buildto-rent homes and high-quality student accommodation .
DOUBLE
BOOST
Two major milestones as hotel brand and construction contractor confirmed for Middlesbrough regeneration catalyst
WORDS : DAVE ALLAN
Plans for a major regeneration project that will transform an abandoned area of central Middlesbrough have reached key milestones with the selection of a leading national firm as construction contractor , while an international brand is in talks to open a hotel .
Family-owned contractor Wates has been appointed to lead the construction of the Gresham redevelopment – with a firm commitment to share contracts with the local supply chain .
Meanwhile , international hotel brand Fairfield by Marriott is in discussions to open a new 200-bedroom hotel on the site , in the heart of Middlesbrough .
The hotel is earmarked for land on the corner of Borough Road near Union Street and Hartington Road .
Fairfield by Marriott has more than 1,300 properties internationally as one of the brands within the Marriott International global hotel portfolio .
Middlesbrough Development Corporation ( MDC ) has joined forces with experienced property developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property on the “ transformational project ”.
The first phase of MDC ’ s masterplan
Impact – a CGI of the planned hotel at Gresham .
also includes more than 230 build-to-rent properties and residential accommodation for more than 450 students .
A planning application for the first phase of the project is set to be submitted .
Subject to planning permission and MDC board approval , building work on the project could start as soon as early summer 2025 .
The wider aim of the scheme is to offer high-quality accommodation to attract and retain talent in the town , support the growth of Teesside University and kickstart plans to regenerate the centre of Middlesbrough by attracting up to 4,000 jobs .
David Wingfield , managing director for Construction East at Wates , said : “ We ’ ve been working in the centre of Middlesborough for nearly a decade , helping cement the town as a key growth region in the North-East through our work .
“ The Gresham regeneration will help accelerate this potential even further , bringing a disused area back to life through the creation of community , and we ’ re incredibly proud to be appointed to deliver it .
“ We firmly believe that large-scale regeneration projects should go beyond the lifecycle of a building , providing opportunities that can support communities for generations .
“ We plan to deliver more than £ 50m in social value to Middlesbrough through this scheme , aligning with our values to create thriving places and allowing us to make a lasting impact in the heart of the community .” iMpeC director Leigh Cresswell said : “ This development can be the catalyst to wide-scale public and private investment that will transform the centre of
Set for transformation - iMpeC director Leigh Cresswell ( left ) with Wates Construction project director Simon Law on the site of Gresham land that ’ s set to be transformed . PIC : CHRIS BOOTH
Middlesbrough .
“ It will help the town ’ s digital community – the UK ’ s fastest-growing tech hub – as well as the thriving advanced manufacturing and professional services sectors to attract and retain talent .
“ The hotel is a key element to our offer and will provide a place to stay for investors and the thousands of workers taking on projects in the town and at Teesworks .
“ Following a formal tender process that attracted most of the UK ’ s major contractors , we are delighted to welcome Wates as a key part of the established project team .
“ While their appointment brings the vast experience and knowledge of a national business , Wates has a proven commitment to keeping its supply chain local wherever possible as well as working with the local community .
“ The appointment of the construction contractor is a key milestone in the development as we move towards the submission of planning approval .”
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