Investor Patron Capital and developer First Base have received planning approval for MK Gateway, a £180m redevelopment of the Saxon Court in Milton Keynes. Saxon Court is a existing council office building, lately used as a vaccination centre and also as election counts. The site was sold by Milton Keynes Council in October 2020.
The 2.35-acre land, to be reffered as MK Gateway scheme, will lead to the original former council structure extended three floors upwards and a landmark 27-storey apartment constructed beside it. Plan to retain the Saxon Court for refurbishing will save over 3,750 tonnes of Co2 compared with demolishing and rebuilding.
The MK Gateway scheme was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners
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City’s innovative spirit and important long-term benefits
The overhauled Saxon Court development will offer office space while the former large atrium space will revamped as an indoor public square, with local independent food and drinks with leisure spaces, joined with an outdoor ‘village green’. MK Gateway scheme is set to offer the equal size of 19 tennis courts with publicly accessible space, creating a modern neighbourhood to work, play and live.
Having around 288 to rent flats, the vertical village development will feature 11 vertical gardens, with 4,500 sq ft, shared by residents. “We believe that this highly sustainable project will help in Milton Keynes’ growth ambitions, bringing the city’s innovative spirit, and generate important long-term benefits,” said Steve Eccles, First Base, Project Director.
The First Base Chief Executive, Barry Jessup added: “Working with famous architecture practice RSHP we have brought a new model for post-COVID urban living which puts together wellbeing-focused workspace and the UK’s BTR homes pioneer that are linked by multi-level gardens, all set around a new a public courtyard, biodiversity and green spaces. “We will keep and revamp Saxon Court, being a part of the fabric of the city centre, critically lowering the carbon footprint of the MK Gateway and supporting the council’s vision for net-zero by 2030 in Milton Keynes.”
