Chester’s One City Place hits new construction milestone

One City Place, the first building of the £100m Central Business Quarter in Chester, hit a new milestone this week as the team behind the development celebrated its topping out.

Muse Developments, which has an office in Salford Quays, is the company behind the One City Place building, which comprises 70,000 sq ft of space across six floors. Construction efforts saw the building reach its highest point on Monday (September 7th).

The firm’s development director, Phil Mayall, said: “Reaching the topping out stage of the build marks a crucial phase in what is undoubtedly Chester’s most significant business development in the city centre in recent years.

“One City Place forms the first part of the brand new Central Business Quarter and lays the foundations for the next generation of successful business leaders in the city.”

Partly funded by the North West Evergreen Fund and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the development is expected to launch officially in November.

City Place could offer up to 44,000 sq ft of office space across seven blocks by 2028, creating around 3,500 jobs in the city.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, Cllr Brian Clarke, said: “Reaching this important point marks a new chapter in Chester’s history because it is one of the largest business developments in the city in recent years.

“We’ve invested more than £1.5m and secured a grant of £617,550 from the ERDF to build the Central Business Quarter public realm with the aim of driving further investment and employment opportunities into the city.”

Now, developers are making finishing touches to the new public space around the scheme, which includes renovating Grade II-listed sheds linked to the city’s railway station.

Chester Renaissance Development Board chairman Guy Butler said: “One City Place and the surrounding Central Business Quarter is transforming the city’s commercial offering and is helping to broaden the vibrant business community, providing space ahead of other competing locations.

“It will be a hub for aspirational businesses and represents a new benchmark for office space in the city.”

In November last year, a new multi-million pound Waitrose store opened its doors in the Central Business Quarter. In the near future, a hotel, restaurants, 200 homes and leisure facilities are expected to open as part of the scheme.

Jonathan Seddon, the MD of building firm Seddon, which was involved in the construction process, commented: “This event celebrates an important moment for both the city of Chester and the building as it reaches its highest point.

“Generations to come will grow up with City Place as part of their landscape and may even work in one of its offices.”

He continued: “I am delighted that Seddon has been part of this project and can say it has contributed to a major piece of Chester’s future.”