Nottingham Island

Duration: 2018Client: Conygar Investment Company, Lavignac SecuritiesPartners: Cartwright Communications, Leslie Jones Architecture, RizkMcCayLocation: Nottingham, UK
Services: Cultural Placemaking StrategyTypologies: Health & Science, Mixed Use & ResidentialTags: Strategy

A Triple Helix Moment of Creativity, Wellbeing and Tech Innovation for the ‘Kings Cross’ of Nottingham

Context

The brownfield former Boots Island site at the heart of Nottingham has been derelict for many years despite numerous ‘false dawns’ for redevelopment. Conygar Investment Company is working with urban regeneration specialist Lavignac to transform the site into new homes, student accommodation, grade A office space, creative market space, leisure, public realm, and community space.

Futurecity was asked to

Provide a vision for the site that supports Nottingham’s ambitions to be a creative powerhouse of the midlands; connect the site with neighbouring assets like the BioCity biotech innovation hub, the BBC and the Creative Quarter; and propose projects across public realm, cultural partnerships, commercial space and meanwhile activation that would maximise the assets of the masterplan and existing heritage buildings. The resulting Cultural Strategy needed to help the client communicate a clear narrative and commitment to placemaking that would support their planning application for the scheme and attract investment.

How we delivered

Through our research, workshops and interviews with key city stakeholders, BioCity and the Creative Quarter we devised a vision for Nottingham Island that would amplify the strengths of the city. These coalesced around a ‘Triple Helix’ of creativity, wellbeing and tech innovation.

The strategy sets out a series of projects to bring this vision to life:

  • A creative market inside the site’s Grade 2 listed warehouses that would extend Nottingham’s Creative Quarter.
  • A series of public artworks at key gateway points that would provide welcoming beacons for visitors to the site and arrivals into the city.
  • Linked commissions on a theme of art/science that would create a trail through the site.
  • A 3-Phase meanwhile programme that engages surrounding communities, seeds activity on-site from day one, and builds interdisciplinary partnerships that would turn the site into a ‘living laboratory’ for culture, wellbeing, science and technology.

Project Legacy

In April 2019, the outline plans for Nottingham Island were approved by Nottingham City Council’s Planning Committee.

“This is Nottingham’s biggest regeneration scheme to happen in decades and currently the largest in the East Midlands and perhaps the UK.” – Councillor Chris Gibson, chair of the planning committee.

“I am really pleased that the outline plans have been approved by Nottingham City Council and I look forward to working with our partners to meet the requirements set out by the council to develop all aspects of the mixed-use scheme into a thriving community,” “Nottingham is a vibrant and creative city where several exciting developments are taking place and our plans for the site are a key part of this regeneration. We believe this is a unique development which will help to elevate Nottingham’s position in the Midlands and the UK.” – Christopher Ware of Conygar.

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