Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland attended the topping-out ceremony at a major redevelopment in Stevenage today.
Park Place is a £50m apartment complex with shops underneath which is replacing a dilapidated area next to a council car park off St Georges Way.
The development is one of a series of blocks around the town that have been regenerated into new apartment blocks in recent years. They include Vista Towers, Skyline and Brickdale House.
These private developments are helping regenerate parts of Stevenage alongside Stevenage Borough Council’s planned regeneration of the town centre for which a developer is in the process of being secured.
Mr McPartland who has consistently opposed the council’s plans but favours private developments such as Park Place, said: “Park Place marks another important step forward in the regeneration of Stevenage town centre. The £50m development demonstrates the confidence that investors have in the future of the town.”
Visitors to the development’s new Sales and Marketing Suite can view floor plans, brochures, computer-generated imagery and models of the 202 Manhattan studios – one and two-bedroom homes ranging in price between £179,950 and £384,000, some of which are available on government’s ‘help-to-buy’ scheme.
The development is the brainchild of local businessman, Ajaz Ahmed, the managing partner of MBU Capital – the property developer and leading investment management firm behind the scheme.
He said: “Stevenage is my family’s local shopping centre. We want to see the town thrive and bringing investment, jobs and new housing right into the heart of the town centre is the best way to back the town’s regeneration.
“As the first New Town, Stevenage pioneered the principles of modern urban design. We have designed Park Place to celebrate the town’s rich past whilst creating a new destination. It is set to unlock an exciting new future in Stevenage.
Park Place is designed to appeal to working professionals employed by the town’s major employers in healthcare, technology, research and development, defence and aerospace industries.
It is designed by Gardner Stewart Architects and is due for completion in Spring 2018.
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