Member Article

Newcastle’s Malmo Quay development showcased to international audience

Ouseburn in Newcastle will be showcased as a world class location to an international audience of architects, city planners and regeneration specialists at the British Embassy in Paris next month.

Igloo Regeneration, which is developing the Malmo Quay site as part of the Carillion-Igloo Ltd (CiL) joint venture, has been invited by the British Ambassador to France to discuss the project as a central part of the Franco-British Future City event on February 10.

Plans for the work at the gateway to Newcastle Quayside have been drawn up in a collaboration between French architect AWP, which will be the overarching practice on the project, and London architects Mikhail Riches Architects and Featherstone Young.

The three firms were selected in an international competition organised by Newcastle-based Northern Architecture as part of CiL’s sustainable development approach which is central to its commitment to successful place-making through quality design.

Igloo development director David Roberts will discuss the approach to regenerating Malmo Quay at the event. It will be a focal part of the day, which will highlight smart city urban design and the creation of sustainable cities to city mayors and local authority representatives from across France.

David Roberts said: “The Malmo Quay project is an innovative development that is of interest to French cities because it is a partnership with Newcastle City Council and uses Homes and Communities Agency owned land.

“We know a number of French metropolitan areas are looking at ways to achieve regeneration in their cities at a time of reduced public funding.

“Our project in Newcastle is not publically funded but the land value it generates is shared with the council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

“Ouseburn is an exemplar project that other countries in Europe and globally can learn from.

“I’m looking forward to sharing some of our alternative approaches to regeneration – both from the funding and project development perspective – with potential partners in France.

“Malmo Quay is a world-class example of this - from the international design competition, choosing the architects, to the collaborative approach, securing funding and the long-term benefits Newcastle City Council will gain as the landowner.

“Plus, we are creating an outstanding new development for people to live and work at Ouseburn, in a spectacular location on Newcastle’s quayside.”

Newcastle City Council cabinet member for investment and development, Cllr Ged Bell, said: “Paris is known all over the world for its beautiful architecture, so who would have guessed that one day they would be showcasing the merits of a scheme in Newcastle.

“Malmo Quay is the result of an innovative partnership between the council, the Homes and Communities Agency, which owns the land, and the developer Carillion-Igloo.

“I think it’s great that the Ouseburn – our own cultural quarter - is being discussed in Paris as it helps strengthen Newcastle’s position on the international map and underlines our commitment to quality developments.”