A public consultation is getting underway today on the plans for One City Park – a c.56,000 sq ft office building in Bradford city centre which promises to supercharge the city’s post-Covid economic recovery.
In 2019, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council selected national urban regenerator, Muse Developments, to develop One City Park on the site of the former Tyrls Police Station, adjacent to City Park.
The new Grade-A office development – representing an estimated £29 million investment into Bradford – is seen as crucial to the city’s continued regeneration efforts, which has seen developments such as City Park and The Broadway drawing more people into the city centre.
One City Park will address a shortage in high-quality office space in Bradford city centre and provide exceptional quality office accommodation to suit a range of occupiers from start-ups and growing small businesses through to larger organisations seeking a high-quality base.
Designed by award-winning architects, Sheppard Robson, the five-storey building will feature a distinctive curved façade. It has been designed to sit sensitively within its surroundings and the plans also include attractive new landscaping which will effectively act as an extension to City Park.
The building will look to reduce energy usage and water consumption where possible, with features including a glazed façade to maximise natural light, a roof terrace to aid natural cooling, and using recycled materials during construction, while generous levels of cycle parking will encourage sustainable travel to work.
The current consultation with Bradford residents, businesses and local groups will run until early April, after which the proposals will be finalised and a planning application submitted. Subject to planning, work on site could start before the end of the year.
Simon Dew, development director at Muse, said:
“Launching our consultation on One City Park is the latest major milestone in the delivery of this significant scheme. We’re very pleased to be sharing our plans with the people of Bradford and look forward to hearing their views over the coming weeks.
“Bradford is one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the UK. New, high-quality office space is needed to support the expansion of home-grown businesses, as well as attracting larger organisations to the city, which benefits from an exceptional location and quality of amenities.
“The world is undoubtedly changing as a result of the pandemic, but our plans for One City Park respond to the need for flexible, high-quality workspaces which prioritises the health and wellbeing of occupiers, while driving inward investment, opportunities for all and community wealth right into the heart of the city.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council,added: “One City Park is a key part of the Council’s wider regeneration plans and is essential for the post-COVID economic recovery of the Bradford District.
“The development will help to drive inclusive economic growth and social prosperity at a time when it’s needed most in the district and the wider city region. It will also create jobs both during construction and when the project is finished.
“I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to have their say in this community consultation.”
The pre-planning application public consultation on the proposal will run until 9 April. Local businesses and communities are being invited to view and comment on the plans here: www.onecitypark-haveyoursay.co.uk
