A marketing campaign to find a development partner for a major mixed-use development at the Oxpens site in the heart of Oxford has been launched by joint agents Bidwells and JLL.
The site offers the opportunity to transform the largest remaining development area in the city centre and provide a vibrant community, with the potential to develop 1m sqft, including new homes, commercial uses and public space, close to the river and rail station.
The Oxpens scheme has come about following the formation of a joint venture company by Oxford City Council and Nuffield College. The new company, Oxford West End Developments Ltd (OXWED), acquired land from London and Continental Railways and Oxford City Council, so clearing the way for a development partner to deliver a masterplanned city centre mixed-use neighbourhood. Fielden Clegg Bradley were appointed during 2016 to prepare a proposed masterplan for the development.
The joint agents believe that there is likely to be strong developer interest given the limited development opportunities in such an historic city. Oxpens sits in prime position almost opposite John Lewis, between the new Westgate shopping centre and Oxford railway station and adjacent to a new 500 unit scheme by Student Castle that was granted planning consent earlier this year.
A development partner will be appointed in spring 2018 to deliver a mixed-use scheme which could incorporate uses such as residential, offices, hotels, retail, and leisure. The Oxpens development is a strategic priority in the Oxford City Deal and the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan, unlocking major private sector investment and providing a significant contribution to the regeneration of the city’s West End.
