An architectural vision

As part of our Milburngate Talks series, Lee McLaughlin, lead architect at FaulknerBrowns, provides some beautiful insight into the thoughtful consideration that has gone into ensuring our 450,000 sq ft mixed-use development at Milburngate will serve as a magnificent architectural, economic and cultural addition to Durham.

Great architecture doesn’t happen by accident. Often, it requires years of experience and a deep understanding of what a development aspires to achieve, for both the people it’s designed for, as well as the environment in which it sits. 

Milburngate is no exception, where our vision for a brand new destination in Durham’s glorious city centre is being brought to life by internationally renowned architects FaulknerBrowns.

With a need to respond to the working and lifestyle needs of today’s and future generations, Milburngate is being designed to the very highest standards, in a way that will complement and enhance its World Heritage setting on the banks of the River Wear.

Milburngate hoarding gets artisan treatment

This is Eddie Rodger, one of a dying breed of artisan sign writers. Eddie and his team offer an unprecedented standard of hand-painted designs that use pure sable brushes and the highest quality enamel paint to ensure an impeccable and beautiful finished product.

Traditionally used for unusual surfaces, brickwork, plastered surfaces, boats and extra-large lettering on buildings his services are most commonly used in conservation areas, heritage sites and on buildings and interior walls of pubs and public places. That’s why when we were looking to refresh the hundreds of metres of hoarding that envelop the Milburngate site, his tremendous skill, vast experience and attention to detail felt like a natural choice.

The immaculate quality of our new hoarding certainly lives up to expectations. So, the next time you pass Milburngate, why not take a minute to pause and admire the craftsmanship and skill required to create something so perfectly executed; like us, you won’t be disappointed.

You can find out more about Eddie and his business here.

Milburngate construction to begin early 2019

Milburngate construction to begin early 2019 after planning permissions granted.

CGI image of the Premier Inn hotel at Milburngate

The developers of Milburngate have announced that construction of the landmark living, working and leisure destination will begin in the New Year after an updated planning application was granted permission by Durham County Council.

As a result, 70 percent of the project will be completed in the first phase of development, which will feature a greater mix of uses, including 153 apartments, a 92-bed, flagship Premier Inn hotel, and 5,000 square metres of offices that will support more than 400 new jobs. 

The inclusion of the offices, which was not originally part of the first phase, will also support the immediate need for high quality, business accommodation in the city.

The homes, offices and hotel will be joined by nationally-recognised, premium leisure occupiers including Everyman, which made its first commitment to the North East with an agreement to open a boutique cinema at Milburngate, together with bar and restaurants Bar + Block and Miller and Carter.

In addition, the planning approvals enable the developers to bring forward the completion of Milburngate’s riverside public realm.  This will deliver 85 percent of the development’s public space as part of phase one, helping provide crucial connectivity, not only through the development, but between the railway station, riverside and the city centre. 

Following this detailed planning consent, the developers will now receive tenders from a group of shortlisted contractors, with the chosen construction partner selected in January and work commencing shortly after. Completion of the first phase is targeted at early 2021.

Milburngate is a £150m development being delivered by a joint venture of Arlington Real Estate and the Richardson family who have successfully delivered a number of strategically-important regeneration projects across the region, including Freemans Reach in Durham city centre.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “We’ve been working closely with the council and local stakeholders to ensure that we what we deliver Milburngate is right for everyone involved. 

“Securing this planning consent now is a real milestone moment for both Milburngate and Durham City as we can now move forward with construction in the New Year. 

“Milburngate is a development of regional significance, that will not only help address the urgent need for high quality residential, offices and retail and leisure space in the city, it will also set a new benchmark for quality and make a meaningful contribution to securing the city’s social and economic future for generations to come.”

Ben Holmes, Director at Richardsons, said: “Milburngate will have a significant positive impact on the quality and diversity of Durham City’s leisure offering, alongside the introduction of important residential properties and new offices, all of which will enhance the vibrancy of the riverside, and the city centre. 

“Attracting new residents, visitors and businesses will be of social and economic benefit to Durham City drawing people in from across the North East and from further afield.”

New offices vital for Durham

Durham City’s economy could miss out on significant investment and job numbers unless it creates new office in the next 12 to 18 months, a leading property firm claims.

Newcastle-based real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield says in the first half of the year it firms were on the hunt for 730,000 sq ft of office space across the North East, which could have considered Durham, with an average enquiry size of 40,000 sq ft. That equates to around 6,700 jobs, a large chunk of which could be attracted to Durham.

The office space enquiries – which came from both the public and private sector – also doubled within six months, and in the second half of 2017 enquiries tallied up to 330,000 sq ft with occupiers seeking an average of 20,000 sq ft.

The organisations seeking space needed between 20,000sqft and 120,000 sq ft – but Durham City had to be discounted as it has no office space available to meet those requirements.

Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Darlington, meanwhile, have all increased commercial property development in recent years.

Greg Davison, partner at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Durham’s global reputation as a City of significant heritage and home to one of the UK’s most highly-regarded universities, is undoubted and yet, commercially at least, it has not had the infrastructure to build on that reputation.

“There have been a number of examples recently where occupiers have set out to seek office premises across the UK, but they will only focus on those cities that can demonstrate an available pipeline of suitable stock.

“In most cases, they are looking on a 12-month time horizon. We have one live example at present, where the decision to locate in the region will, to a degree, be dependent on the availability of office space.

“Put simply, Durham cannot compete to attract businesses such as this to the city on the timescale they require. Given that office development tends to take 18 to 24 months to deliver, without speculative development of appropriate scale, any city without an established pipeline is going to be at a disadvantage from the word go.”

Several schemes are progressing – including the proposed development of Aykley Heads and neighbouring sites, The Fram Well adjacent to the railway station, and Milburngate on the banks of the River Wear – showing Durham developers are looking to address the scarcity of grade A space.

Aykley Heads is aiming to create provision for around 6,000 new jobs, but as it is still in the very early stages of planning and development it can’t meet the immediate requirements of potential occupiers looking to locate in Durham.

Milburngate has the potential to bridge the gap in the short term, with developers Arlington altering plans to create extra office space as part of the first phase of the £160m mixed-use development.

Subject to planning, these offices, as part of the first phase, will begin construction early next year for completion at the start of 2021.

The Riverside, meanwhile, has helped retain more than 1,000 jobs in the city at Freemans Reach, while the county council has also selected it as its preferred option for its new County Hall.

Mr Davison added: “Durham County Council’s ambitious plans for Aykley Heads will bring significant benefits, but the immediacy of the enquires requires a ready supply of office stock with a critical mass to meet occupier needs.

“To turn this situation around the city needs developments that can meet the shortfall. There are some positives on the near horizon with developments such as Milburngate, which is at the very core of the city and where occupiers want to be, helping Durham again compete on a national and global stage in attracting inward investment in the form of new businesses.”

Allan Cook, managing director at Arlington Real Estate, part of the JV developing Milburngate with the Richardson family, said: “As developers we know there is strong interest from the market for high quality offices in Durham City and as a result have evolved our plans for Milburngate accordingly.

“Attracting and retaining jobs is an essential part of building Durham City’s economic prospects and Milburngate will be a catalyst to attracting regional and national occupiers to the area.

“The city has fantastic potential to benefit from its strong global brand and reputation by delivering the right blend of offices, homes and leisure developments which, within a beautiful world heritage setting, positions it well against its peers not only in the North of England but also across the UK and Europe.”

Updated plans

Updated plans to deliver increased mix of living, working and leisure at Milburngate

The developers of Milburngate have submitted an updated detailed planning application to Durham County Council for the landmark living, working and leisure development, which will see 70 percent of the project completed in its first phase. 

As a result of improvements made, this first phase of Milburngate will contain a greater mix of uses featuring 153 apartments, a 92-bed, flagship Premier Inn hotel, and 5,000 square metres of offices, which will support up to 500 new jobs. 

Bringing forward more than half of the development’s residential properties in the first phase will help enhance the supply of much-needed homes in Durham City, and the inclusion of the offices, which was not originally part of the first phase, will also support the immediate need for high quality, business accommodation in the city.

The homes, offices and hotel will be joined by nationally-recognised, premium leisure occupiers including Everyman, which made its first commitment to the North East with an agreement to open a boutique cinema at Milburngate, together with bar and restaurants Bar + Block and Miller and Carter.

As part of this, the developers are bringing forward the completion of Milburngate’s riverside public realm; meaning 85 percent of the public space will be completed in phase one, helping provide crucial connectivity, not only through the development, but between the railway station, riverside and the city centre. 

Included in the updated application are a number of improvements, based on continued consultation with local stakeholders, such as revised access to the service area and short stay car park and the addition of pitched roofing to the hotel. 

The hotel represents a marked step-change in the aspirations for the Premier Inn brand.  Its owner, Whitbread, has been keen to identify locations across the UK to help further the growing reputation of the brand.  The hotel is of high architectural quality, in keeping with the rest of the development, and sympathetic to its environment similar to other Premier Inn hotels in historic cities. 

Whitbread has recognised Milburngate will support this strategy and is including a new-style of interior design to match the quality of the development. It will also feature Premier Inn’s heritage signage, which can be found on its hotels in other notable cities such as Edinburgh and York.

Subject to planning consent in December, construction of Milburngate will begin in the first quarter of 2019.  The developers are currently in the final stages of selecting a construction partner who will be announced early next year.  Completion of the first phase is targeted at early 2021.

Milburngate is a £150m development being delivered by a joint venture of Arlington Real Estate and the Richardson family who have successfully delivered a number of strategically important regeneration projects across the region, including Freemans Reach in Durham city centre.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “This enhanced first phase of development at Milburngate will accelerate delivery of the scheme and deliver a greater blend of complementary uses earlier than originally expected. This is further testament to the very strong interest we have had from national and regional occupiers alike which is great for Durham City as well as the wider region”

“The growing trend for mixed-use city destinations has influenced our updated designs, particularly to help businesses attract young professionals who want to live, work and enjoy themselves in city centres.”

Ben Holmes, Director at Richardsons, said: “The updated designs for the first part of Milburngate, which include important feedback from local stakeholders, reflect the synergies we aimed to achieve across the whole development.  

“Delivering elements of the development earlier than originally planned, to complete 70 percent of the entire project, will support Milburngate’s position as a catalyst for job creation and a magnet for leisure visitors looking for a premium and unique experience unavailable at other locations in the North East.”

The Victorian gasworks

Victorian gasworks structure rescued by Milburngate developers for UK heritage project

The developers of Milburngate have discovered the remains of Victorian Gas Works on the site on Durham’s Riverside, which will become part of a UK heritage project. 

Buried several metres below the surface, the site team discovered a flue structure made of firebricks, which was part of the old retort house – where coal was baked in a type of oven called a retort, to release gas from the coal. 

It was thought that the construction of the Passport Office building in the 1960s had destroyed anything of significance from the old gasworks, so the unexpected discovery enabled Milburngate’s developers to do something positive by recovering the bricks for the heritage project.

The bricks were part of the gasworks at Framwellgate owned by the City of Durham Gas Company, which was formed in 1856.  Durham had earlier adopted gas lighting in 1823 and a year later the whole city was lighted by gas from a privately-owned works, which was later sold to Durham Gas Company and subsequently moved to the Riverside. 

Most of the former gasworks structures were located to the north of the site and underneath the former Passport Office.  The flue of the retort, which was discovered, was constructed below ground level, which ensured its survival over the past century. 

The recovered Victorian bricks are now destined for a project in the East Midlands where a Building Preservation Trust is regenerating a historic gasworks in the estate village of Sudbury, Derbyshire.

The Sudbury Gasworks Restoration Trust (SGRT) is preserving, restoring and refurbishing a Grade 2 listed 1874 gasworks in Derbyshire and the bricks will be used to rebuild the building’s retort. Thanks to National Lottery players, SGRT has received initial support and development funding* from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project to create a new community resource in Sudbury parish. 

It is also sympathetically extending the building on the footprint of its former gasholder storage facility to create a new main hall for events, which will hold up to 100 people.

Members of the Milburngate development team, including Thompsons of Prudhoe and engineering services specialist WSP, undertook a programme of works to ensure the bricks could be safely recovered from the site and transported to Derbyshire.

The remains of the retort were discovered during enabling and remediation works ahead of the start of construction later this year of the first phase of Milburngate which, upon completion, will provide a range of premium leisure facilities, bars and restaurants, high quality offices and luxury apartments. 

Ian Beaumont, Project Director of Milburngate, said: “These bricks represent an important part of UK industrial heritage and we have the opportunity bring them back into use after being buried under the site for more than 100 years.  The Sudbury Gasworks project is the ideal location for the firebricks as they will not only help with the restoration of the building, but help educate future generations about the engineering advances made by the Victorians.” 

Prof. Russell Thomas, Technical Director - Ground Risk and Remediation, at WSP, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to support a project that recognises the important role coal played in England for many, many years. I was aware of the project at Sudbury and when the bricks were discovered under Milburngate I knew they could be of practical benefit to the Trust in Derbyshire.  Both regions have strong coal mining heritage and it’s with excitement that I await the building’s restoration.”

Timothy Webber, SGRT chair, said: “We are extremely grateful to the team at Milburngate for the donation of these bricks, which will be incorporated into our restoration of the Sudbury Gasworks.  The building, including the retort house, will give visitors a better understanding of how gas was produced from coal and the various functions of the rooms within the gas house, while creating a new community resource for our area.”

Milburngate Secures Detailed Planning Permission

Detailed planning permission has been granted for the construction of Milburngate on the banks of the River Wear. 

Photo caption: Milburngate overlooking the River Wear in Durham City

Durham County Council has agreed the application allowing for the creation of a brand-new living, working and leisure destination in the heart of the city.

The permission enables the joint venture of Arlington Real Estate and the Richardson family to deliver the first phase of development at Milburngate which, upon completion, will provide a range of leisure facilities, bars and restaurants, high quality offices and luxury apartments. 

Already, Milburngate has attracted a range of premium occupiers including the Everyman boutique cinema, Pitcher & Piano and the new concept steak restaurant Bar + Block. 

These high-profile brands will be joined by a 92-bed Premier Inn hotel; a detailed planning application for which will be submitted separately to Durham County Council.

The joint venture is currently engaged in a pre-qualification process with potential construction partners and following the completion of this in the coming weeks, an invitation to submit tenders from shortlisted contractors will be issued.

This landmark development in Durham will create a regionally-significant destination and lead to the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs, as well as enhancing the leisure, business and residential opportunities in the area.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “Milburngate will bring a range of cultural, social and economic benefits and we are delighted Durham County Council share in our vision with the granting of our application. The delivery of this transformational project will have a positive impact that reaches beyond the City’s boundaries and will help attract people to Durham from across the North East and further afield.”

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We’re very supportive of this landmark development for County Durham, which will contribute to the county’s growing reputation as a destination for entertainment, retail and fine dining experiences.

“Through the creation of 1,000 new jobs in the city, we’re safeguarding the economic wellbeing of Durham for current residents and future generations of workers.”

Passport Office demolition clears the way for the creation of Milburngate

A significant milestone has been reached in the development of Milburngate with the completion of the demolition of the site’s former HM Passport Office buildings in Durham City. 

The Milburngate site overlooking the River Wear ready for the next phase of development

Undertaken by specialist contractor Thompsons of Prudhoe, the demolition of the 300,000-sq. ft. 1960s buildings paves the way for construction of the 450,000 sq. ft. mixed-use development which, upon completion in 2020, will become a regionally-significant destination providing some of the highest-specification residential, office, retail and leisure space in the North of England.

Delivered during a 12-month programme, around 70,000-tonnes of material have been processed across the 5.5 acre site, the majority of which is being recycled, including the concrete structure that has been crushed for use as a base for foundations and to raise areas of the site about the level of the adjacent riverbank.

Following the removal of the buildings, which also previously housed National Savings and Investments’ offices, a period of remediation and enabling works will lead to the first stage of construction of Milburngate, which is being developed by Arlington Real Estate and the Richardson family.

Beginning in spring, this phase will deliver a significant part of the development’s retail and leisure offering, which will be home to a boutique Everyman cinema, Pitcher and Piano, 92-bed Premier Inn and the new concept steak restaurant brand Bar + Block.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “The demolition phase has not been without its challenges, but by closely collaborating with our demolition contractors, Thompsons of Prudoe, we have achieved the first significant milestone in the delivery of this project.” 

Having successfully completed the complex demolition state we are now in a position to begin delivery of phase two of our Durham Riverside Renewal project, creating a destination of regional significance and a landmark development for the city. “

Ben Holmes, Director at Richardsons, said: “Demolishing such a large structure that is flanked by a river and existing buildings and homes in an environmentally considerate way was a challenge, but one that we have delivered successfully. Embarking on the next phase of the project is an exciting prospect as it will bring a new premium leisure, living and working location to Durham City, which will further enhance the city’s offering to local people and visitors to the area.”

Property Week: Series of major projects set to boost Durham Economy

Property Week's Adam Branson reports on the resurgence of residential and commercial development in the university city.

As anyone who has travelled up the East Coast Main Line knows, the view when you pull into Durham is to be treasured.

The university city’s beauty, not to mention its close proximity to Newcastle, is both a blessing and a curse. It is notoriously difficult to develop anything of scale in Durham city centre, be it commercial, retail or leisure. However, a series of projects is proving that it is possible – and should contribute enormously to both the city’s daytime and night-time economies.

The resurgence of development started in 2014 with the regeneration of Freemans Reach on the banks of the River Wear, where Arlington Real Estate, together with then development partner Carillion, created new offices for HM Passport Office and National Savings and Investments, thereby helping to retain more than 1,000 jobs in the city.

With the Passport Office and NS&I relocated, the path was clear for Arlington Real Estate and Richardson Capital to start on the development of the organisations’ former offices on the opposite bank of the river, known as Milburngate. Carillion was also a part of the consortium, but it sold its stake late last year as its financial difficulties mounted.

The £150m development – which will comprise 400 apartments, 150,000 sq ft of offices, a Premier Inn hotel and bars and restaurants – received the green light from the council in November 2016, allowing demolition works to begin, and construction is now under way on the leisure and residential elements.

Critically, Arlington was successful in attracting the Everyman Cinemas group to anchor the development, alongside restaurant chains such as Pitcher & Piano and Bar + Block.

Now attention is turning to the future office phases. Arlington and Richardson have planning permission for 240,000 sq ft – a huge amount of space for a city with an office market the size of Durham’s. However, Greg Davison, partner and head of office agency at Cushman & Wakefield, which acted for the Passport Office and NS&I on their moves, isn’t concerned.

“It is a lot, but it will be phased,” he says. “Our engagement at this stage is on the first speculative scheme, which will be around 50,000 sq ft. The aim is for it to be grade-A office space as you would find in Newcastle or Leeds. It will draw on Durham’s position in the centre of the region and its riverside setting. You’ve got everything...

– Read whole article in Property Week

Whitbread to bring Premier Inn and Bar + Block to Milburngate

The developers of Milburngate have reached two significant agreements with Whitbread that will see a Premier Inn hotel and a new concept steak restaurant, Bar + Block, open in Durham City.

Joining Durham’s existing Premier Inn on the opposite bank of the River Wear at Freemans Place, the new 92-bed hotel, which is subject to planning approval, will be one of the most contemporary in Whitbread’s portfolio to complement the premium styling and design of Milburngate.

Joining the hotel at the development will be Whitbread’s Bar + Block Steakhouse, which will be the first in the North of England. Combined, the two will create 75 new jobs in Durham City.

With four restaurants across the UK in London Kings Cross, Birmingham, Bath, and Whitley in Hampshire, Bar + Block is an informal all-day dining venue serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an emphasis on high quality steaks at affordable prices, all hand-cut to order. The restaurant will feature a ‘Butcher’s Block’ with a range of rotating specials, as well as an extensive drinks list.

Whitbread’s Premier Inn hotel and Bar + Block steakhouse are the latest additions announced for the premium Milburngate development.  They will take their place alongside independent boutique cinema operator, Everyman and Marston’s bespoke designed bar, Pitcher & Piano.

A landmark development for Durham and the wider North East region, Milburngate will also feature a mix of luxury apartments and high quality offices. Leading to the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs, Milburngate is being developed by Arlington Real Estate and the Richardson family.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “These agreements not only demonstrate the confidence Whitbread has in Durham City, but also how Milburngate can help position and strengthen two of its important brands. 

“Milburngate’s aspirational and premium offering is attracting high quality operators that will enhance and expand the leisure market in Durham and help attract visitors from across the North East and further afield to the city.”

Ben Holmes, Director at Richardsons, said: “Milburngate is a great opportunity for Whitbread to further develop its presence in Durham City to meet the demand for hotel beds in the area while introducing a new concept dining experience to the region.  We’re proud to be working with Whitbread and look forward to welcoming the hotel and steakhouse to the development.”

Matt Aubrey, Premier Inn Acquisitions Manager for the North East, said:  “We are pleased to have acquired a site for a new 92-bed Premier Inn and Bar + Block restaurant at the Milburngate development in Durham.  Milburngate is a major part of the future of Durham city centre and we are excited to be a part of it.  Subject to planning permission, the new hotel and restaurant will bring 75 permanent jobs to the area and will offer visitors greater choice and value in Durham.”

Permanent public art light installation planned for Durham Railway arches

Building on the legacy of the city’s highly successful Lumiere Festival, plans for a new permanent public art light installation for Durham City are being unveiled.

Photo caption: Allan Cook (left) and Sarah Coop (right) in front of the Railway Arches during Lumiere 2017, which will be home to a permanent legacy installation

The developers of Milburngate and Lumiere producers Artichoke alongside Lumiere commissioner Durham County Council are coming together to create the new public art, which will be installed in the city’s railway arches.

As part of Lumiere in November the arches were home to Arclight, a colour-changing light installation by artist Vicky Hay, one of a series of dramatic pieces of artwork that attracted 240,000 people to the city during the four-day festival.

Following its success, Artichoke will now be engaging with artists to design a new, permanent light installation at the arches adjacent to the roundabout alongside the Railway Station. It is planned to be completed in autumn 2018.

The new installation is sponsored by the developers of Milburngate, Arlington Real Estate and Richardsons family, who are long-term supporters of Lumiere. Most recently, their Milburngate site hosted the Fire Tornado installation whose 16 metre high vortex flames lit up Durham’s riverside during Lumiere 2017.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “The viaduct is a much loved land mark of Durham and this installation will lift its prominence in keeping with the iconic Castle and Cathedral as well as highlighting the continuing cultural impact of Lumiere on the city.

“We are very proud to again be working with Artichoke and Durham County Council to create this piece of Lumiere legacy, which will continue to help shine a light on our beautiful and vibrant city.”

Sarah Coop, Development Director at Artichoke said: “The developers of Milburngate have been terrific supporters of Lumiere from the beginning, and again in 2017, and we’re thrilled to be working with them and Durham County Council on a permanent light installation at the arches.”

Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “Every Lumiere leaves a lasting effect on our county, local businesses and the many thousands of people who are drawn to the light festival.

“That’s why it’s wonderful to have a permanent installation to light up the viaduct along this beautiful section of our railway network, and cement Durham’s status as a place of light.”