Ambitious plans for The Nicholsons Quarter demonstrate way forward for high street revival

Published on 9 March 2021

Design proposals prepared by JTP for Areli Real Estate and Tikehau Capital for the redevelopment of Maidenhead town centre have been unanimously approved by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. At a time when high streets are in crisis and in need of Government support, these ambitious plans will see £500 million of investment in Maidenhead, building a new town centre designed in partnership with the local community.

Desborough Way looking north. © Atelier78 / JTP

Located in Maidenhead in Berkshire, the redevelopment of The Nicholsons Shopping Centre will see the comprehensive regeneration that will transform an obsolete, outdated 1960s single-use shopping centre into a new, vibrant, mixed-use quarter. The project is one of the first ‘shopping centre to town centre’ regeneration initiatives in the UK, designed specifically to address the changing landscape of high streets in our towns and cities.

The new Nicholson Quarter will deliver 660 new homes, workspace for over 2,000 people, 60 shops and unique restaurants. Central to the plan will be the creation of ‘Sir Nicholas Winton Square,’ named by local residents in honour of Sir Nicholas’ extraordinary act of bravery during the Second World War. In total, there will be 1.5 acres of public space, equivalent to 24 tennis courts. Responding to strong demand for ‘out of London’ urban locations, new homes have been designed to support home working with larger rooms, business centre amenities and private open spaces.

Brock Lane looking towards Sir Nicholas Winton Square. © Atelier78 / JTP

JTP led one of the largest community engagement processes the borough has ever seen, and saw several thousand people, including many schools and colleges taking part in multiple workshops and hands-on planning. The development brings much needed housing to the town centre, along with senior living accommodation and smaller retail units with flexible leases. Reflecting the climate emergency, the project is one of the most sustainable proposed in the borough and includes considerable provisions for cycling, electric vehicle charging points and an extensive tree planting programme.

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This is a great result, not just for Maidenhead but for the entire UK as it demonstrates a way forward for the regeneration of our towns. We are so pleased to have developed these plans in close cooperation with the community and to have achieved such a positive unanimous vote is really encouraging.

Rob Tincknell, Partner at Areli Real Estate

Aerial shot looking south. © Atelier78 / JTP

“

This is a tremendously positive step forward, especially in a time where high streets and town centres have been completely assaulted by the impact of the pandemic. The design places people at its heart, creating a sequence of open streets and spaces that connect and knit into the town – transforming Maidenhead into a vibrant, mixed use quarter which will re-establish a thriving day and evening economy.

Emmet O’Sullivan, Partner at JTP

Related Projects

Community
Planning

The Nicholson Quarter,
Maidenhead, UK

New Urban Quarter
Stage: Hybrid Planning Application