Reading Borough Council has appointed McLaren Living as its development partner for the £250m ($315.81m) Minster Quarter Central regeneration project in Reading, England, UK.
McLaren Living was selected during the council’s January Policy Committee meeting following a rigorous evaluation of detailed bids.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The development plan was approved last year.
The initiative aims to transform the 5.2-acre site in Reading’s town centre, introducing more than 600 new homes, with 30% of these units classified as affordable.
The site previously housed the Civic Centre and is envisioned to become a gateway connecting Russell Street, the Castle Hill Conservation Area, and the residential zones of West Reading.
The development will feature 40,000m² of new commercial space, comprising workspace, retail, food and beverage outlets, and a 102-bed hotel.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe Minster Quarter Central scheme aims to enhance public spaces by introducing ‘Hexagon Square’, a new civic area intended to serve as a gateway to Reading’s Hexagon Theatre and new Studio Theatre.
It is a part of the broader Minster Quarter Regeneration Area, which is anticipated to yield more than 1,200 homes.
In alignment with Reading’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, McLaren Living plans to implement all-electric, energy-efficient systems that maximise renewable energy generation at the site.
The project also aims to deliver a net gain in biodiversity and introduce new pedestrian and cycle routes.
Reading Borough Council leader and councillor Jason Brock said: “The preferred bidder has come forward with hugely exciting proposals which tick all of these important boxes and more, including more family-sized homes which we know are in short supply in Reading, a brand-new civic space as a gateway to a revitalised Hexagon Theatre, which will contribute to its growth as a destination for arts and culture, a new community hub and, through our commitment to social value, around 100 new local jobs post-construction.”
