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THE POD BURSTS INTO LIFE, Oct 2007
Jeff Moore, Chief Executive of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) marked the end of construction at The Pod - Nottingham’s latest striking new development with an event on the 24 October.
Bildurn’s landmark £25 million retail and hotel development on Fletcher Gate is a welcome addition to the city’s skyline, with its ground-breaking architecture rejuvenating a formerly derelict site.
Eventually the 108,000 sq ft Pod will house three levels of large retail units but the new 142 bedroom IBIS hotel - the most central hotel in Nottingham – will occupy the upper floors and opened on 22 October. Contractors Laing O’Rourke started on site in late 2005.
Jeff Moore, who spoke at the event said: “I am incredibly pleased to have been asked to mark the completion of such a magnificent and unique building. This will be another welcome addition to the Nottingham retail market and will contribute to the fact that Nottingham is a much sought after location for retailers, especially as the city has recently been voted the fifth best shopping location in the country, which is a fantastic accomplishment. Everyone who has been involved in the project should be extremely proud of what has been achieved.”
This prestigious project, with its striking contemporary architecture, was been designed by award-winning London firmBenson+Forsyth, whowere winners of Bildurn’s £150,000 competition to select the Pod’s architects, held with the aim of attracting internationally-renowned architects to Nottingham.
To coincide with the event at The Pod, Gordon Benson delivered a talk on his design approach to the development at the Council House, as part of Design 07, the campaign which seeks to raise the standard of architectural design in Nottingham.
Gordon Benson said: “The development reclaims and renews this important site by, sensitively, relating a contemporary development to its historic and geographical context at three scales – geographical, city and immediate surroundings.
“The building therefore becomes continuous with, and inextricably bound into, the city fabric of Nottingham. The historic thoroughfares of Bottle Lane and King John's Arcade thread through the building and visitors will be able to understand both the newness of the development and how it fits within its environment – both internally and externally. In this way, we believe, the building, in some small way, becomes an exemplar of how the past can inform and meet the future.”
The Pod’s completion will bring much-needed larger retail space to the city centre, and with its proximity to Bridlesmith Gate, the Lace Market, the new retail units at Once Fletcher Gate, and the bohemian Hockley Village, is expected to attract prime retailers to the city.
Its location opposite to the Fletcher Gate car park and a tram stop on the city’s new tram system also adds to its appeal to retailers.
Sean Akins, Director of Bildurn said: “We are really excited now The Pod is completed, this event symbolises the three years of hard work by all parties to finish this ambitious development. We have an opportunity to showcase this unusual landmark to everyone who has been involved with bringing it together. For a city centre scheme of this scale we are very pleased with how fast it has come together.”
The Waterstones development close by The Pod site was developed by Bildurn’s sister Armgrade for which it won a Lord Mayor’s Award.
ENDS
For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood or Charlotte Anscombe at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk
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