Princesshay

The development of an award-winning contemporary design was the result of close collaborative working between the City Council, the three architectural practices, English Heritage, CABE and the developer, Land Securities. This joint working has delivered a high quality, mixed-use scheme that is knitted into the fabric of the historic city. John Rigby, Director of Economy and Development, Exeter City Council

Situated in the heart of the city centre, close to the cathedral, the redevelopment of this post-war shopping complex required careful re-integration; initial plans showed little sensitivity to the historic character of Devon’s county town.

English Heritage worked with the developers and Exeter City Council to explore alternative ways forward. Ideas were also shared between the three architectural practices subsequently appointed for each of the three adjacent areas which made up the site. With a cogent and detailed analysis of the historic urban pattern in which the shopping centre sits, English Heritage worked with all parties to suggest options that would be commercially successful, while acknowledging and even improving the historic setting.

Developer, architect and local authority worked collaboratively to see the £225 million redevelopment through to completion. This involved removing and replacing a number of post-war structures and introducing residential as well as business and leisure use. The development has been acclaimed for its design and hailed as an economic success. The area is far busier than before redevelopment and the scheme is predicted to create 1,500 new jobs.

Its interconnected streets and sympathetically-designed buildings complement the historic structures of the area, and open up views of Exeter Cathedral. A large-scale development has not simply been accommodated within a historic city – it has enhanced it.