Mixed-use developer First Base and investor Patron Capital have lodged plans for a mixed-use, £180m “gateway” scheme in Milton Keynes.
The developer aims to retain, refurbish and extend Saxon Court, an office building formerly occupied by the council (pictured).
The proposals, submitted to Milton Keynes Council, comprise 185,000 sq ft of grade-A offices, 288 build-to-rent flats and public realm improvements, including a new square.
Called MK Gateway, the scheme is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
The developers said the residential element will be the first UK BTR development to incorporate vertical sky gardens, which would provide residents with access to multi-level outdoor spaces.
It will also include a green roof and a mix of indoor and outdoor public space at street level.
Barry Jessup, chief executive of First Base, said: “Our proposals for MK Gateway represent an excellent example of our vision for the future of major urban centres post the pandemic.
“High-quality living with a focus on wellbeing and community, alongside purposeful workspace designed to meet the much higher expectations of companies and employees in the 2020s.
“Milton Keynes is perfectly positioned to benefit from the shift in priorities from centralisation and tradition to the more employee and social-impact focused mindset of future-looking businesses, and we want to be right at the heart of this growth.”
Kevin Cooke, senior partner at Patron Capital, said: “These exciting plans for MK Gateway not only continue our track record in the creation of dynamic mixed-use places that revitalise city and town centres and support local communities, but also our working relationship with First Base, with whom we have already partnered to deliver Edward Street Quarter, Brighton’s largest commercial scheme for 25 years.”
To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@eg.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @EGPropertyNews
