Matthew Montague Architects part of the design team as Derby City Council select preferred development partners to transform Derby City Centre.

Plans to regenerate Derby City Centre have taken a big leap forward with Derby City Council announcing a partnership made up of VINCI Developments UK and ION Developments as their preferred strategic development partner.

Matthew Montague Architects are part of the design team for the extensive regeneration project.

In early 2023, the council announced its intention to work with an experienced development partner to create a cohesive masterplan for the regeneration of several important city centre locations. Following an expression of interest process and procurement exercise through the Pagabo Developer Led Framework, VINCI and ION have been invited to develop more detailed plans for the cultural heart of the city.

We have been talking to the team at VINCI and ION for the past year, we were approached due to our deep-rooted local knowledge and understanding of the architectural landscape of Derby.

We have introduced the VINCI UK Developments team to other key stakeholders within the city including; Marketing Derby, representatives from the estates department at The University of Derby, Electric Daisy and Down to Earth. We are passionate about Derby so to then go on and be part of the team that developed design ideas for two key projects within the plan has been fantastic.

Over the coming months the partnership will work collaboratively with the council, local businesses and community stakeholders to develop their vision and design for the regeneration of the city centre. Initial plans include a revitalised cultural quarter which will offer a range of leisure, commercial and community facilities, connected to a new business and residential district, incorporating the Bold Lane area and Northern Quarter.

Within the proposed plans is a new cultural, commercial, and creative public space, which will be located on the site of the former Assembly Rooms. The multi-functional building will have spaces for meeting, working, and creating above restaurant and commercial space, to enhance the city centre offer.

The plans are set in a redesigned and enhanced Market Place, which will become a focal point for the city and will create new and improved green spaces, including ‘pocket parks’ to support relaxation and wellbeing.

The scheme also aims to create ‘green and blue corridors’ to improve connectivity between open spaces, such as Cathedral Green and the River Derwent and encourage more active travel across the city centre to underline the city’s net zero ambitions.

Both firms have extensive experience in long-term regeneration and place management projects in collaboration with local authorities. The partnership will combine the extensive innovation, insight and experience of VINCI and ION, with the council’s vision and understanding of the needs of the city.