Station Square, the new public space that is set to be the bustling heart of Coventry’s Friargate district, is to open to the public this week (Thursday 10th March).
Leader of Coventry City Council, Ann Lucas will officially open the new tree-lined boulevard – which also provides an attractive walkway between the train station and the city centre – at 11am. She will unveil bespoke new hoarding, which acts as a border between the construction site and the Square and features real Coventry people describing why they love the city.
From 12.30pm members of the public will be invited to explore the new space – which features more than 200 trees, stone benches and seats – and try out fresh food and drink from street food specialists that are set to become a regular fixture.
Cllr Lucas said: “The opening of this impressive new link is a crucial milestone for the Friargate project and our growing city. The route into the city centre from the station – through our wonderful Greyfiars Green has always been impressive but now the subways are gone and the boulevard is set to open, it’s almost unrecognisable.
“Friargate will help us to transform our city – creating jobs and opportunities and helping us in our ambition to once again be a top ten city. It’s exciting to see our own building taking shape but the boulevard is the first real look at the quality we can expect from the whole development.”
Stephen Reynolds, Friargate Coventry LLP, said: “It is a rare moment when new public spaces can be created in our cities and a cause for celebration. The public realm in Friargate is designed by international Landscape architects Gross Max and made from the highest quality materials including grey granite and Dutch clinker brick; it will provide a pleasant route into the city for the average 17,000 people using the station each day.
“More than just a connecting route to the City Centre, we hope that Station Square will become a meeting point and hive of activity, with street food operators and performers set to make regular appearances.”
Covering 37 acres, Friargate is a new business district that will create 15,000 jobs. Up to 25 new buildings will be delivered, including 14 new office buildings, hotels, shops, restaurants in addition to new homes that will bring the community to life.
The scheme is making rapid progress since work began in 2014, with work on Coventry City Council’s new 13 storey office building well underway and on target to be completed in Summer 2017.