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ST
JOHN'S WALK TO GET INVESTMENT
, Jan 2007
The
Pod development on Fletcher
Gate in Nottingham will bring
more than a new look to the
local landscape.
The new 108,
000sq ft of retail space and
hotel that make up the £25m
scheme are expected to bring
a greater volume of pedestrians
to the streets and lanes around
the site. In view of this developer
Bildurn has invested in upgrading
walkways and even created a
new courtyard.
As Fletcher
Gate is an important route that
links the core of the city to
areas such as Hockley, The Pod
scheme includes the renovation
and revitalisation of the pedestrian
areas next to the site. King
John's Walk is being refurbished
and a new courtyard has been
formed (at the eastern end of
King John's Arcade).
The courtyard
has been created by the removal
of a series of single storey
extensions behind Fletcher Gate,
and the space formed has been
given over to the enhancement
of the public realm. Elegant
York stone paving replaces the
existing unappealing concrete
sets on King John's Walk, and
new planting, that complements
the revitalised urban character
of the space will add a touch
of greenery to the new courtyard.
The courtyard
on St John's Walk will be seen
through generously scaled windows
from the ground floor of the
redeveloped Eversheds building,
which will house part of the
new IBIS hotel at The Pod. The
reception, bar and restaurant
of the hotel will all be located
in this historic building and
the upper floors of The Pod.
Views between
the courtyard and the hotel
are expected to enhance the
character of both spaces, and
animate both St John's Walk
and the hotel throughout the
day and into the evening.
On first floor
of The Pod, an outdoor terrace,
which forms part of the retail
space, will have views over
the new courtyard.
The Pod was
designed by award-winning London
architects Benson+Forsyth who
are best known for the spectacular
Museum of Scotland, close to
a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in Edinburgh's old town. Gordon
Benson of Benson+Forsyth added:
"Creating the new courtyard
and enhancing St John's Walk
is an important component of
this historic site. White rendered
walls, and the greater degree
of openness, will bring natural
light flooding into the new
courtyard during the day, while
new amenity lighting will provide
security into the evening. "
The original
King John's Arcade was designed
by architect John Howitt (1851-1923)
who was responsible for a number
of buildings around Nottingham
during the later part of the
19th century and early 20th
century such as Stoney Street/Barker
Gate south side, Bridlesmith
Gate, Bentinck Chambers, Wheeler
Gate and the west end part of
main former Co-op, on Upper
Parliament Street that is now
the Axis development.
King John's
Arcade which links Bridlesmith
Gate with Fletcher Gate is also
being developed and becomes
Bridlesmith Walk.
This Pod is
a landmark scheme and is being
heralded as setting new standards
for innovative, quality architecture
in Nottingham and has been recognised
by Nottingham City Council as
part of their Design 07 campaign
to promote and encourage high
standards of design.
Contractors
Laing O'Rourke started on site
in late 2005 and the scheme
is expected to be complete by
autumn this year.
For
further PR information contact
Kathryn Greenwood at Eden PR
on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950
9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk
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