Member Article

Former government offices crowned Boho Six

The vision of having a specialist digital and creative area of Middlesbrough is becoming a reality thanks to the work of DigitalCity.

DigitalCity started the Boho Zone ball rolling in 2009 when its headquarters Boho One was built. Now number six is set to open, creating more space for more businesses to join the thriving hub.

Crown House – a former government building in central Middlesbrough - will become Boho Six. The 1960s building has been empty for some time and is currently being transformed into modern retail and office accommodation.

Teesside businessman Nasser Din, Managing Director of Supreme Property Developments, is redeveloping the building and putting in place plans to create a new hub for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Mr Din said: “It’s fantastic to be able to join the Boho cluster which has been a beacon of enterprise in Middlesbrough.

“Crown House: Boho Six will help regenerate not only the building but also the area around it to develop the ideal working environment for businesses to bring more life into the town centre.

“We’re excited to be working with DigitalCity to add to the Boho Zone and attract new commerce into Middlesbrough.”

As well as redeveloping the offices, the square outside Crown House will be opened up by raised beds, trees and new paving with street furniture and lighting are giving the square a more contemporary feel.

The railway underpass has also been remodelled to make the area more inviting, as well as an innovative low energy lighting system that is transforming the space beneath the A66 flyover, to provide a more attractive and user-friendly route through to Middlehaven at night.

Mark Elliott, Chief Executive, of DigitalCity Business, said: “We are literally seeing our vision for the area coming to reality. We are up to Boho Six in just a handful of years - the Boho Zone is helping to drive the regeneration of Middlesbrough town centre.

“The addition of Crown House to the Boho cluster further proves the strength of business and enterprise growth in the town and the shared ambitions of entrepreneurs and business leaders in the region.

“It also helps us to prove the point that Middlesbrough has one of the fastest growing and most successful digital clusters in the UK, and that we are the driving force behind that.

“Whether businesses are new and working from their garages or established global operations, we can help drive growth and expansion.”

DCB is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lottie King .