Highcross

The design approach to the residential blocks was to develop a family of buildings that retain common themes, but adapt to their particular settings.

Glenn Howells Architects were appointed for the design of 4 residential blocks which comprise 120, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with retail units below.  The final result are elegant, high quality residential accommodation appropriate to the demands of a modern city.

The residential components of the scheme are located at key locations where the new Shires West development meets the existing urban fabric.  The blocks play an important role to integrate the retail development into the existing urban grain in respect of form, scale and ground floor use.  The design mediates between the scale and grain of the new development and the existing city centre urban landscape.  Their position along significant new public routes and around new public spaces encourages diverse activity, extended levels of occupancy and passive security.

The two blocks called 'The Quad' and 'Bar' provide a setting to existing listed buildings and the High Street Conservation Area and the scale and massing of these blocks respect and contribute to this sensitive context.  The new public courtyard created near The Quad re-establishes the Old Grammar School within the settings of its 'yard' and opens up new views to this building from St. Peter's Square at the heart of the new development.  Similarly, 'The Bar' repairs a significant corner site within the High Street Conservation Area.

The main elevation to the 'Arcus' block terminates the view along St Peter's Lane, whilst its gable end will become visible as pedestrians emerge from the existing Shires arcade at the bottom of New Bond Street.  Its scale is carefully set to mediate between the mass of existing Shires development and the smaller blocks to the East - including the Cherry Tree Public House.