Regional Finalist at the 2026 Civic Trust Awards, our outstanding mixed use scheme at Chester Northgate is shortlisted

We are so proud to be selected as a finalist for this award as it reflects the ambition and commitment we have to creating outstanding architecture, which enriches lives and fosters sustainable, dynamic communities.

Revitalising a forgotten city centre

Chester Northgate has reinvigorated the historic core of the city, welcoming millions of visitors since opening in 2022. This landmark project was shaped through extensive community engagement and supports social, economic and cultural renewal.

Chester’s largest development in decades, our architecture and landscape design teams worked closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to deliver thriving shopping, leisure, and cultural destination which integrates seamlessly within its heritage surrounding. With a vibrant market hall, six-screen cinema, cafes, bars and restaurants, a co-working office space, a new public square and an 800 space, multi-storey car park, this development has truly transformed the city centre.

Unlocking the potential of an archaeological complex site

Lying within the Roman city walls, working with Historic England, planners, conservation groups, and specialist consultants, we were able unlock developable space while sensitively preserving protected heritage assets. Early-stage 3D modelling of archaeological constraints informed the design, enabling a collaborative process that built confidence in the project where earlier proposals had stalled.

We have remodelled the former library building, housing most of the commercial space within and extending to create a contemporary arcade linking Northgate Street with the market square. At the end of the arcade furthest from the market square, is a magnificent, historically sensitive frontage which we have brought back to life, by using this as the entrance to the Northgate development.

Delivering a welcoming experience for all

Chester Northgate embodies accessibility, ensuring an equitable experience for all. We have applied universal design principles throughout such as carefully considered circulation routes, with clear wayfinding, inclusive entrances and lighting strategies and generous, step-free parking facilities. These features have all been seamlessly integrated into the space, whilst responding to the site complexities and without compromising heritage protection.

A resilient future-ready destination

Sustainability was a key aspect of our design, balancing heritage sensitivity with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ambitious environmental goals. Passive design, natural ventilation and low-carbon materials reduce operational and embodied energy, while extensive green walls deliver measurable ecological benefits, from carbon capture to microhabitat creation. Delivering environmental, economic, and social sustainability, Chester Northgate sets a benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration in a historic context, demonstrating tangible environmental outcomes while supporting Chester’s cultural and commercial vitality for generations to come.

Community led design

Early community engagement has been key to the success of this development. Managing over 100 stakeholders and multiple tenants, with their own Agreement for Lease requirements, each needed careful consideration to ensure that their needs were met. By coordinating services across this mixed use development, our collaborative approach has delivered a space that benefits all, while maintaining design integrity.

A vibrant public square now anchors the scheme, with spaces that encourage social interaction and support community activities including music performances, public art exhibitions and street theatre.

At the heart of the development, Chester Northgate’s indoor market offers an eclectic mix of independent traders including restaurants, bars, delis and butchers. Since opening three years ago, this award winning market has welcomed over seven million visitors, massively outstripping the footfall of its predecessor and transforming the city centre’s vibrancy and economic regeneration.

Being selected as Regional Finalist in the 2026 Civic Trust Awards is an important moment of reflection and motivation. As we look ahead, we remain committed to pushing boundaries in placemaking, creating cohesive, sustainable environments that reflect the communities within.

We’re pleased to stand alongside a strong group of finalists and look forward to the full Civic Trust Awards results, announced in January.

Read more about Chester Northgate here

Discover more about our extensive work within the civic and community sector.