Plans have been unveiled for a new development combining office space, shops and homes on the former Leicester City Council New Walk Centre head quarters.
The two crumbling 1970’s office blocks which stood on the 2 acre site were demolished in February.
Leicester’s City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby announced the plans which will see two, four to five storey blocks built with a central tree lined public square linking new walk and Welford road.
The two buildings will provide 50,000 square foot of office space, private housing and space for retail.
Site developers Ingleby, will work with the City Council and go through the formal planning permission process.
Sir Peter said, “This area of land is a prime development site in the heart of the city and I was determined from the outset that New Walk Centre would be replaced with a development which would be beneficial to the surrounding businesses”.
“What we are going to have in this scheme is essentially the opportunity for people to have offices and jobs, perhaps up to 600 jobs here and on the back of that of course a small amount of retailing”
“It will be a mixed use, but all of those uses ones that will bring life to our city, will bring investment to our city, will bring jobs to our city and will secure its future”
Barrie Stephen, who runs a business on King street which over looks the site, spoke of his excitement of seeing the plans, “its going to create such a buzz round here, I’m pleased its not going to be too tall, too high, its going to look really pretty, I’m really excited, its fantastic”
Local developer Ingleby have been chosen to develop the site, a spokesperson for the company said, “We expect that the first parts of the development will be completed and open for business by the first quarter of 2017”.
