York Central’s £2.5bn regeneration project has moved forward with the announcement of a full design team, signalling the next phase of one of the UK’s largest brownfield developments. The 45-hectare site, adjacent to York railway station, is being delivered by Homes England and Network Rail in collaboration with the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum. It aims to boost the city’s economy and infrastructure significantly.
Allies and Morrison, the architectural firm behind the original York Central masterplan, will continue leading the overall design and developing proposals for a new Innovation Hub. International landscape practice Grant Associates has been appointed to oversee the parklands, public spaces, and green infrastructure, including the historic coal drops area.
Sheppard Robson will design a new 195,000 square foot government office hub to house up to 2,600 civil servants. Several architectural firms have been selected to lead the residential elements, including Cartwright Pickard, Corstorphine & Wright’s Leeds studio for build-to-rent properties, and Haworth Tompkins for affordable housing. 3D Reid will design the hotel and western entrance to York Station, while re-form landscape architecture will focus on Museum Square and the public realm in the first phase.
The regeneration will deliver around 2,500 new homes and close to one million square feet of commercial space spanning offices, retail, and hospitality. Improvements to York Railway Station and connections to the adjacent National Railway Museum are also part of the plans. The development is projected to create up to 6,500 jobs and contribute £1.1 billion in GVA to the local economy.
