17 November 2010

Another major milestone has been achieved in the revitalisation of Newbury in Berkshire with the topping-out of the tallest commercial building at Parkway - the 475,000ft² development in the heart of the town centre.

The scheme will contain 50 shops and kiosks, plus 774 car parking spaces, when it opens in October 2011. There will also be 184 new homes, including affordable properties.

The opening came a step closer as Cllr Graham Pask, chairman of West Berkshire District Council, wielded a ceremonial trowel to complete the roof of the development's Block E. Block E will be home to Debenhams, one of the major anchor tenants at Parkway.

"Debenhams is moving rapidly towards completion," said Project Director, David Woodhouse. "The team has almost completed cladding of the building and is only a few weeks away from finishing the shell. 

"Immediately to the west of Block E, the ground floor envelope for Block D is nearing completion and we've installed the timber-framed residential units that sit above it," says Woodhouse. Block C, which makes up the main entrance to the development, is also significantly clad and residential fit-out has commenced.

"It remains a complicated, challenging but ultimately highly rewarding project," he adds. "There are listed buildings, retained facades and derelict buildings that we have to refurbish."

The project is being developed by clients Standard Life Investments. When complete it will create an exciting new shopping-led mixed-use scheme in the centre of the historic west Berkshire market town.

 

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