Less than a month after submitting plans for the redevelopment of its Nottingham Broadmarsh shopping complex, intu Properties is seeking approval for the multi-million pound transformation of its Milton Keynes centre.
Part of a decade-long £1.3bn upgrade programme of its UK sites, the country’s biggest owner-operator of shopping malls claims its plans for its Buckinghamshire site — to include more flagship stores, a new dining quarter, cinema and community spaces — received a 77 per cent approval rating from visiting shoppers.
Designed by 3DReid architects, the £70m upgrade of the 430,000 sq ft shopping centre by the addition of a further 100,000 sq ft will focus on the redevelopment of Midsummer Boulevard and Oak Court within intu Milton Keynes. It will also be one of the most significant retail and leisure development projects the town has seen in more than ten years.
“Oak Court and The Boulevard are busy thoroughfares, but not great pieces of public space,” explained Martin Breeden, intu’s regional director. “These proposals will create outstanding areas overlooked by prime, flagship retail stores and the best catering quarter in Milton Keynes.”
When complete the scheme will provide a new two-level dining quarter and a five-screen boutique cinema offering a special experience with luxury seating and a quality food. “The Boulevard will be used for community events and entertainment, retaining intu Milton Keynes’ position at the heart of the community,” Breeden added.
The latest proposals have yet to be approved by Milton Keynes Council, but work is expected to start by the end of the year. Anchored by Debenhams, the shopping centre already has a range of top name retailers including Apple, Hollister, H&M, Hugo Boss, Superdry and Zara.
In Nottingham, intu has joined forces with the city council to extend and upgrade both intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh. The £40m remodelling of intu Victoria Centre is already underway and the mall owner is awaiting planning approval for a £150m redevelopment of its Broadmarsh complex.
Mike Butterworth is chief operating officer at intu. “We now have in place investment plans that will extend and upgrade the city’s two favourite shopping destinations, introduce new brands, restaurants and leisure spaces and create new and improved gateways to the city in the north and south,” he said.
