Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed after a competitive tender process to conduct a town centre masterplan review by Bracknell Forest Council. The real estate advisors will be working with Allies and Morrison, who will provide urban design support to the masterplan review in a parallel commission.
The opening this month of The Lexicon, the next generation shopping and leisure destination, has brought 1,000,000 sq ft of shopping and leisure space, up to 1,000 new planned apartments, 12 multiplex cinema screens and 3,800 new car park spaces to Bracknell.
Bracknell Forest Council is seeking to identify and stimulate development activity to complement the new Bracknell, futureproofing the town centre for generations to come. The town is already home to some significant corporate occupiers including Waitrose, HP, Dell, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Honda.
Cushman & Wakefield’s involvement with Bracknell dates back to the 1980s. The firm will draw on its knowledge of the town, its leading Research & Insight team and expertise from successful masterplanning and development work across the country to deliver this project.
Andrew Hunter, Chief Office for Planning Transport and Countryside at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Since the last Bracknell Masterplan was published in 2002, the town has undergone great change, driven by strong partnership working with the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP). The Lexicon represents the most significant town centre development since the construction of the original New Town in 1949 and it is absolutely right that we look strategically at how best to build upon that, sustaining contained regeneration for the benefit of current residents and future generations.”
John Percy, Head of Retail Development Consultancy, Cushman & Wakefield, commented: “The way in which we use our town centres is dramatically changing across the UK and Bracknell is no exception with The Lexicon clear evidence of its rebirth as a retail and leisure destination.
“We are thrilled to have been asked to consider options for the next chapter of this renaissance. With our intimate knowledge of the town, and expertise in regeneration and redevelopment, we are looking forward to advising the council in how best to spearhead Bracknell’s growth through this period of change.”
Steve Walker, of Allies and Morrison said: “Bracknell’s investment in its town centre has been transformational and now is an excellent time to take stock. We are delighted to be working with the Council to review the changing role of Bracknell and strategic design issues for the town, to identify the next steps and future investment opportunities.”
Cushman & Wakefield has played a leading role in regeneration and development schemes across the country, successfully delivering at least one development scheme every year since 1983. The firm is strategic property advisor to Derby City Council on its City Centre Masterplan, is advising Newcastle City Council on its Northumberland Street Area Transformation Project and was instrumental in the delivery of Grand Central Birmingham on behalf of Birmingham City Council. In London, the firm is instructed on King’s Cross and Battersea Power Station – two of the most significant regeneration projects underway in Europe.
