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Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —
Adaptive Retrofit — Humanising Infrastructure — Making better places — Architecture — Public Realm — Spatial Strategy — Creative Reuse — Urban Transformation — Decarbonisation —

Chester City Gateway Masterplan

Client(s)

LCR / Network Rail

Collaborator(s)

Arup / CBRE / Faithful & Gould

5th Studio was appointed by regeneration specialist LCR to deliver a masterplan for Chester City Gateway, which has now been been approved by cabinet.

Chester City Gateway is a bold vision to regenerate the historic railway station and its surrounding area, having the potential to attract significant investment into Chester and deliver the One City Plan.

Supporting lead local partner Cheshire West and Chester Council, and in collaboration with Network Rail, regeneration specialist LCR led on development management to advance the regeneration, public realm and transport connectivity improvements.

Following a highly competitive process, the parties appointed 5th Studio as lead consultant, supported by a local team. The team created the masterplan and delivery strategy, working alongside engineering consultancy Arup together with CBRE and Faithful & Gould. LCR led on the appointments of the consultant team to develop the masterplan for the Chester City Gateway programme, the major regeneration and infrastructure project that will transform Chester’s railway station and surrounding land.

The Chester City Gateway regeneration project is being delivered through LCR’s ongoing partnership with Network Rail, which aims to realise the full potential of land around a portfolio of the UK’s of railway stations. Including Chester, the collaboration currently has 16 active schemes across the UK that have the potential to deliver over £2 billion GDV and 4,000 homes.

“The formation of our consultant team marks a key milestone in a project that will help to create public value and unlock significant economic growth for Chester. Our masterplan will ensure that the railway station and its surrounding land reach their full potential, helping to deliver new homes, jobs and community assets.

We’re excited to begin delivering on the Council’s exciting vision for Chester and realising the benefits of investment in the city’s key transport hubs, creating an outstanding experience for residents, commuters and visitors alike.”

Alex Bowker, Development Manager in LCR's regional North West team

“Chester City Gateway lies at a crossroads of the key Northern Powerhouse economies of Liverpool and Manchester, the anticipated HS2 hub at Crewe, and is the North West’s gateway to Wales. This is an opportunity to maximise the potential of Chester’s railway station, cementing its role as a key Northern transport hub.

We know that successful placemaking is greater than the sum of the project’s individual parts, and we’re excited to transform this site to tie it firmly into the life of the city.”

Tom Holbrook, director at 5th Studio

The indicative vision drawing looks east across the railway land towards Chester Station.
Options for a future replacement bridge have been undertaken to accommodate safe pedestrian and cycle access with segregated cycle lanes and pavements.

An illustrative masterplan has been prepared which identifies the potential proposals for each Place as set out across the Gateway. Key deliverables are expected to include:

  • Up to 600 new homes (comprising a mix of townhouse and apartments)
  • Enhanced business workspace
  • Small-scale commercial, food and beverage and independent retail units
  • New Mobility Hub as part of an integrated transport hub, including consolidated car parking spaces
  • An improved Hoole Bridge to enhance opportunities for active travel
  • Potential for supported accommodation for vulnerable people
  • 60,000sqm new/ enhanced public realm including new tree planting
  • 1.8km new segregated cycleways
Chester Railway Station marks the arrival into Chester and an overarching ambition of the SRF is to create an improved Station experience and enhanced gateway into the City.
An enhanced sense of arrival into the City from Station Square through to the Chester Business Quarter.

CONTACT

studio@5thstudio.co.uk

recruitment@5thstudio.co.uk

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