rg+p moves into landmark Canopy development

An architecture and design practice has relocated to a landmark creative workspace development it helped bring to life.

rg+p Ltd has moved its Leicester team into Canopy, a £13.3 million regeneration project that has transformed a collection of former factory buildings on King Street into a new creative and business hub.

The multi-disciplinary practice originally won the competition to design the redevelopment and has since acted as architect and planning consultant throughout the project.

Canopy, which was constructed by Henry Brothers on behalf of Leicester City Council, brings together office space, meeting and conference facilities, co-working areas, a public café and outdoor courtyard space across five interconnected industrial buildings.

The development also includes an event and exhibition area within a central atrium inspired by the Pompidou Centre in Paris, featuring exposed painted ductwork alongside new planting and trees designed to improve air quality and create a welcoming communal environment.

Rob Woolston, director at rg+p, which has relocated from its previous Leicester base at Waterloo House on Princess Road, said: “Our connection with the Pilot House buildings dates back to 2022, when we first began working with Leicester City Council on a design to bring this cluster of buildings back into productive use while retaining their historic character.

“Inspired by the success of the nearby LCB Depot, the aim was to create contemporary, flexible workspaces specifically to appeal to creative, tech and design-based businesses.

“The final design takes advantage of the original industrial aesthetic, retaining existing heritage features such as exposed brick and beams, and original parquet flooring. 

“These are complemented with bold and contemporary elements including a stunning glazed roof in the central atrium and a new entrance on King Street.”

James Badley, director at rg+p, which also has offices in London and Birmingham, added: “With the lease on our Leicester studio ending, we quickly realised the space we were looking for was the one that we are incredibly proud to have helped to create.

“Canopy is a great fit for our practice; it is the embodiment of our collaborative ethos and we’re excited to make this our new home in Leicester, where we have operated for 45 years.”

Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester city mayor, added: “Along with supporting hundreds of high-quality jobs in the city’s thriving creative sector, this important redevelopment will contribute to the wider regeneration and prosperity of King Street, Belvoir Street, Market Street and the New Walk area.

“It will also complement recent landmark developments like the Gresham Building.

“The fact that the project’s architects, rg+p were the first confirmed tenants of Canopy is hugely encouraging. 

“It’s a clear endorsement of what a well-considered and architecturally stunning new workspace they have helped to create.”

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