First Base and Patron Capital have won planning for their £180m flagship Milton Keynes.
The 2.35-acre MK Gateway scheme, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, will include 185,000 sq ft of grade-A workspace in the comprehensively refurbished Saxon Court building, alongside a new building comprising 288 build-to-rent flats.
The modernist Saxon Court was previously the home of Milton Keynes Council. The team said that retention and extension of the building will save more than 3,750 tonnes of CO2 compared with demolition and rebuild.
The workspace element will incorporate offices, co-working and R&D space, as well as a dedicated innovation hub. It has been designed to offer flexible floorplates that maximise natural light and fresh air, with enhanced ventilation in response to Covid-19.
The residential element, 31% of which will be affordable, will also suit “post Covid-19 urban living”.
First Base boss Barry Jessup said: “Working with renowned architecture practice RSHP we have created a new model for post-Covid urban living which blends wellbeing-focused workspace and the UK’s first BTR homes that are connected by multi-level gardens, all set around a new a public courtyard, green spaces and biodiversity.”
The new building will have vertical sky gardens and multi-level outdoor spaces, for relaxation, outside work, exercise and communal gardening.
The development will also include a green roof and a mix of indoor and outdoor public space at street level for pop-up markets, food stalls, events and performances.
MK Gateway will be set around a new public square and landscaped green spaces and will support Milton Keynes’ target to be a net zero carbon city by 2030. The development is focused on sustainable mobility, with integrated all-electric energy solutions, infrastructure to support electric bikes and charging points for electric vehicles and a dedicated independent Cycle Hub.
Jessop added: “Milton Keynes is one of the UK’s most cutting-edge and forward-looking cities and we are excited to have the opportunity to deliver a new mixed-use district that will support its future growth.”
Patron senior partner Kevin Cooke said: “We are excited to bring forward this new development in Milton Keynes, not only creating much-needed new office space and homes, but also setting a new standard for mixed-use schemes in the area and building further on our track record with First Base.”
Patron previously partnered with First Base on Edward Street Quarter, Brighton’s largest commercial scheme for 25 years.
Milton Keynes is the fastest-growing city in the UK, its population is set to double to 500,000 by 2050.
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