New images of the plans for the partly-demolished Broadmarsh Shopping Centre to be transformed have been released. The proposals are part of a vision that retain some of its structural frame which will be 'rewilded' and covered in foliage.
The proposals also include Nottingham's unique sandstone cave network. It will form a centrepoint for a new hotel and culture trail.
An independent advisory group established by Nottingham City Council has appointed Heatherwick Studio to draw up the plans. Heatherwick Studio are also responsible for London's Coal Drops Yard.
Heatherwick Studio, who collaborated with Stories, a socially responsible development company, on the project said: “At the heart of the vision is the creation of a new ‘Green Heart’ for the city centre.
"This wildlife-rich green space, which will permeate the whole site and weave in and out of the Frame, will aim to create a beautiful, tranquil core to the city.
“It will be set within 3.5 hectares of common ground – high quality public realm that permeates the zones across the 20-acre site.”
Broadmarsh shopping centre was partly demolished after its owners, the shopping centre developers Intu went into administration at the start of the pandemic. There has been increasing concern about what could replace the remains.
Nottingham-based Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure who is a member of the Advisory Group backed the plans.
She said: “This is a visionary and beautiful solution for our city. Nottingham leading the way once again and showing how cities can grow and adapt sustainably and creatively.
“I have been lucky to speak to Thomas Heatherwick and the teams involved through the design process and have been blown away by their ideas and depth of thinking.”
Thomas Heatherwick said: “The challenge of what to do with the former Broadmarsh shopping centre has been a chance to think about the failure of our city centres. They should be about bringing people together, not just about retail.
“Rather than demolish the structure, we are proposing to keep the frame and breathe new life into it, creating a place that can hold the diversity and vibrancy that is so lacking from many city centres.
“The aim is to bridge between generations, communities, and cultures so that the new Broad Marsh can reflect the true diversity of the city.
“In the fog of Covid-19, Nottingham has seized the opportunity to create a new blueprint for the future of City centres.”
Nottingham’s independent Greater Broad Marsh Advisory Group, established by Nottingham City Council in March 2021, say the plans create a “once in many generations” opportunity for Nottingham to be a leader in city centre regeneration.
The Advisory Group have estimated that the development could take ten years to deliver and create 3,000 jobs in building with another 3,00 jobs once it is complete. The development may also provide 750 new homes with over 400,000sq ft of high-end business and office spaces.
The group has also highlighted that the next stage of the project, estimated to last 2-3 years will require £5-6 million of investment. They stated the priority "should be on demolition, masterplanning, legal work on title and preparation to take the vision to private and public sector markets."
The Advisory Group say that the return on investment would be “unprecedented in the City’s history”.
The plan has been described as a 'physical development worth in the region of £500 million, which would see the creation of jobs, new homes, new commercial space, increased tourism and hotel spend, business relocation and increased footfall in the city."
Nottingham City Council has backed the vision and asked the Advisory Group to continue its work and advise this month (March) on the formal setting up of the delivery partnership.
