Designed by Urban Edge Architecture, the £7 million new build retail park on Tower Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk, will mark a substantial investment in the region, as well as turning a redundant brownfield site into an impressive new gateway for the town.
Working with TPS Development and Project Managers on behalf of client Freshwater Group, Urban Edge Architecture’s design offers a contemporary response to the requirements of modern out-of-town retailers. The quality of the architecture enhances the surroundings and announces the Retail District.
The c70,000 sq ft Retail Park started on site at the beginning of March with the demolition of the existing industrial buildings to make way for a new retail terrace, coffee drive thru and a mixed retail and restaurant unit, complete with a remodelled site access, car parking and hard and soft landscaping.
The development is anchored by Aldi and The Range and brings good employment opportunities for local people during its construction and future ongoing operation.
Tom McNamara, Director at UEA says: “Although the visual appearance of the site is very important, our design has put equal emphasis on the integration of this new development into the wider area and will create a strong link between the existing retail and commercial uses to the south of the site.”
Contemporary design and quality flows through into the public realm with the provision of an attractive landscape, with a variety of native trees and shrubs adding visual interest for customers.
Tom concludes: “This has been a long-term project for the Practice, with the original planning being granted in August 2016, and the final result will be a modern and welcoming retail attraction that will provide jobs as well as a positive first view of Lowestoft from the south.”
