Less than six months since Phoenix Square first took Leicester by storm, it has surpassed all initial expectations, with April proving to be its strongest month yet. 

The unique mixed use development at the heart of Leicester's Cultural Quarter had a bumper month from every angle. Homes saw a healthy uptake from househunters; now over 50% occupied, the 63 individually designed apartments are proving a real draw for first time buyers and downsizers alike, with 13 homes sold and all 20 apartments let that have been released to date. 

Interest from businesses soared with enquiries at an all time high for Blueprint's seven, two storey office studios and the 22 workspace units, managed by Leicester City Council. A number of creative, local businesses, including an innovative university start up and three other companies, are currently progressing discussions. Once finalized the workspaces will be 25% occupied. 

Phoenix Square's cinema's saw sellout shows with Banksy's 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' and welcomed the return of 'Alice in Wonderland in 3D' for half term. It also entertained guests from the USA, across Europe and nearer to home with the 13th annual British Silent Film Festival. The DMU Cube gallery housed in Phoenix Square launched the 'Avseq' exhibition by Tom Betts.  The interactive installation is the first piece to be curated by the new creative director Tom Holley.

Phoenix Square further made a name for itself in April as a prolific conference and arts venue, hosting an Access to Finance workshop for over 100 delegates from regional businesses, a luncheon for the Prospect Leicestershire Network, a dinner and drinks reception for the DMU Demon FM awards and the monthly Phoenix Square Business Club networking session. If that wasn't enough, the screen lounge bar and kitchen launched 'Lazy Sundays' and 'Film and Dine' promotions for budding cinema goers, as well as a membership card scheme offering discounts on a host of facilities plus free cinema tickets and exclusive members offers. 

Blueprint's Peter Connolly, said: "It is fantastic to see the progress of Phoenix Square in such a short space of time, its really coming together now as a true cultural community and far exceeds our original projections. With 50% of the homes now occupied, Blueprint is keen to create a genuine neighbourhood of occupiers, so even if it takes us a little longer to sell the remaining properties we will continue with our responsible selling policy, ensuring that no sales are made to absentee landlords. The sustainable office studios are also prime units for discerning, creative businesses and we are excited to see how the growing interest develops further over the coming months." 

Peter Chandler, Leicester City Council's Creative Workspace Development Manager, added: "We have seen an increase in enquiries for workspaces at Phoenix Square over the past few weeks. The mix of companies interested and already based in the workspaces are involved in a variety of media production activities and others are involved in developing and using creative technologies. We are watching the business community in Phoenix Square grow steadily into a thriving and diverse cluster."

Phoenix Square Film & Digital Media, managing director, Andy Jones, concluded: "We are seeing the makings of a real cultural hub with a diverse range of communities both embracing and using our facilities."

Leicester City Council cabinet member for culture and leisure, Cllr Rob Wann, said: "It is wonderful that Phoenix Square is enjoying such success and popularity. Along with Curve and the LCB Depot, this is the third major, council-backed project to be completed in the Cultural Quarter and has brought an extra dimension to the regeneration of this area of the city. We have always been confident that this development would strike the right chord." 

Phoenix Square is a unique cultural building which combines contemporary living space, with independent cinema, a state of the art gallery, cafe bar, workspaces and office studios to house Leicester's growing number of creative businesses. It is the creation of a partnership project between Blueprint, Phoenix, Leicester City Council in collaboration with De Montfort University and is an example of 21st century sustainable building design, coupled with leading-edge architectural quality.