Clarendon Centre

Planning support for the regeneration and repurposing of an urban shopping centre into a £200m diverse mixed-use scheme

Project Overview

Proposals for the centre in Oxford included a partial refurbishment of the 1960s buildings along with the demolition and new build of further parts of the site, transforming the centre into a new 226,500 sq ft mixed-use scheme comprising R&D laboratories, Grade A office space.

The Brief

With plans for the centre including a new public square to be created in the middle of the development creating new thoroughfares through the site, the development brief was to use as much of the existing structure as possible while delivering viable spaces for the new building uses.

The Challenges

We overcame a number of challenges including justification of the upwards extension of a number of existing buildings. Substantial investigations were undertaken due to the very limited historical records of  the buildings and the extensive reworking of the frame often associated with retail accommodation.

Strengthening of the substructure was minimised due to the archaeological importance of the area. Being in  the middle of the largely pedestrian town centre presented logistical constraints for construction activities, so we developed a number of structural solutions to allow flexibility as the project progresses.

The Result

Lothbury has consent to redevelop the mall as a 226,547-square-foot mixed use scheme comprising research and development laboratories, offices and student accommodation, as well as shops and restaurants. There will be a public square in the city centre and spill-out spaces for cafés. The laboratory/office space comprises 153,538 square feet, student accommodation 50,147 square feet and retail and café space 22,862 square feet.