Gresham project named as developers discuss vision for 1,500 new homes

The Gresham regeneration project has been named, with developers sharing when they hope for work to be completed. Crown Square was the name given to the £200m vision in Gresham and central

Middlesbrough at major property event UKREiiF in Leeds, as developers spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, saying that the hotel should be completed by mid-2027, while they hope

that the the rest of the phase one work will be done and dusted by early 2028. The official project name was unveiled at TVCA’s stand at this year’s edition of the UK Real Estate Investment

& Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) on Tuesday May 20. UKREiiF sees numerous events over the three day period. In addition to a presentation about regeneration of the derelict Gresham site,

Tuesday also saw Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen participate in a Q&A, as well as a presentation from Stockton Council on their town centre regeneration. Leaders, property developers and

business owners heard about Crown Square’s part in the vision to create 1,500 new homes, 4,000 jobs and both attract and retain talent in the town. Developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property

have teamed up with the Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC) to create the town’s biggest development in generations. Neil McMillan, iMpeC Director was asked about the beginnings of

the Crown Square project and pointed to the formation of the MDC. Highlighting that developers they could spend their money anywhere in the country, it meant that when the MDC’s “broader

vision” was set out, the developers “bought into” it straight away. He explained that they had gone through a procurement process to be selected as the development partner. Leigh Cresswell,

fellow iMpeC Director added: “We tried previously, to do some investment in Middlesbrough and wider Stockton, unsuccessful, because it just had so many barriers to entry, in terms of

planning.” Sandy Smith, Director at Buccleuch Property, explained that Buccleuch, who are national developers, have been working closely with iMpeC, their joint venture partners for this

project. He said: “I’ll be honest, Middlesbrough wouldn’t have historically been on our radar, but when Neil and Leigh said, you need to come to see this, you need to speak to Ben [Houchen]

to hear what the story and the vision is, it was a bit of a lightbulb moment.” Mr McMillan said: “Ben’s rhetoric to us was, he’s there and his team are there to knock the obstacles out of

the way. You know, this game, what we’re trying to do, getting some investment in, off the ground, it’s pretty challenging, it’s challenging whether you’re doing it in Reading, never mind

whether you’re doing it in Teesside.” The iMpeC Director, who is from the Tees Valley, accepted that while Middlesbrough has its challenges, there are also “wonderful things” going on,

citing the tech and gaming sectors as well as investment from Teesside University. “The town centre is lacking and it’s in need of regeneration to serve and meet those needs,” he explained.

Mr McMillan added: “This is about delivering a new housing offer for the town that’s not available elsewhere in the Tees Valley that would be appealing to professionals, that could help

those businesses attract and retain people”. Mr Cresswell said: “If you are a young graduate, why would you choose Middlesbrough over Leeds or Manchester?” The developers are trying to offer

a reason to stay in the town with this project, with Mr McMillan adding: “Our current job is now raising £200m to see this scheme through to delivery” The developers were asked about the

issue of crime and the perception of crime, something that has been discussed by both Mayor Houchen and Middlesbrough Council ’s Director of Regeneration Richard Horniman. Mr McMillan said

that safety and security had been the “number one” thing that was spoken about by local people and businesses. “You’ve got all these wonderful businesses, but in the winter time they leave

the offices in groups - that’s mad in 2025 that we’ve got that going on!” He said that while “unusual”, the first meeting the three developers had was with the Chief Constable of Cleveland

Police and they were “really impressed” by what he had to say. Mr McMillan said while there was an ongoing journey to tackle the issue, the police couldn’t solve it on their own, rather,

“regeneration plays a part”, adding that included in the plans is a “multi-agency hub” that police can drop into. On this theme, Mr Smith commented: “It’s not just about the economic

benefits, it’s about the social impact and transformational change that disseminates from the site, out[wards], so it’s just not all about Gresham, it’s about Middlesbrough and the wider

Tees Valley.” As for a timeline, Mr McMillan said: “We are very hopeful and optimistic that you’ll see true shovels in the ground, starting this project later this year.” Meanwhile, Mr

Cresswell commented on the short term work, including “site hoarding” expected up in the next two to three months. Mr McMillan said the ambition is for the hotel to open in mid-2027. As for

the wider site, early 2028 was the date given, adding: “Obviously what we’re talking about now is just our first phase, we’ve got another phase to get on with and we are going to be going

out to public consultation probably in the summer.” Tees Valley Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen was in attendance for Crown Square’s launch. He said: “Middlesbrough has been in dire need of

action for generations – and now it has come. It’s great to see Crown Square launched – with building work and hoardings going up around these brilliant developments soon." He added:

“We’ve got developers on board with a great hunger and a very good pedigree – and a brilliant vision for all to see. Now it’s time to put it into action and deliver what has been promised to

Middlesbrough for so long – and I’d urge other businesses, developers and ambitious company owners to come with us.” Middlesbrough Labour Mayor Chris Cooke said: “This scheme, alongside all

of the other projects led and supported by Middlesbrough Council such as our Local Plan, Captain Cook Square, the new Live Well Centre, STACK, the new Odeon Luxe cinema, and many others in

the works, will deliver a town centre that is fit for the future. We will continue to work productively with partners to secure high quality redevelopment in our town centre and beyond.”

Crown Square’s first phase planning permission has now been secured, with the developers praising the speed at which it was approved. When speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service,

Mr Cresswell commented how they had received planning permission within 10 weeks of plans being submitted, praising both MDC officers as well as Middlesbrough Council’s strategy consultee.

Mr Smith added: “You’d struggle to find another project - a £200m project, three different uses, asset classes, mixed use, complicated to deliver in the middle of a big town, 10 weeks and

one day. You give me another example in the UK where that’s been done in the last 10 years.” JOIN TEESSIDE LIVE'S WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR TOP STORIES AND BREAKING NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO

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