Phoenix Square's unique design, creative space and sense of
community has secured Leicester's mixed used development a place on
the shortlist of two more awards.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in the East
Midlands and national housing and regeneration body, the Homes and
Communities Agency (HCA), have both selected Phoenix Square as a
finalist in their annual awards.
For the buildings innovative design and construction, RIBA has
added Phoenix Square, designed by architects Marsh Grochowski, to
its shortlist and judges from the expert panel will be visiting the
site on 14th July 2010.
The HCA award, in the "Flourishing Places" category, focuses on
the wider contribution Phoenix Square has made to the regeneration
of the St George's Cultural Quarter and the creative community it
is developing through its unique vision of living, working and
learning within a central cultural hub. Judges were impressed
whilst visiting last week and the project team will attend a final
assessment in London on 15th July 2010.
John Long of Blueprint, the developer behind Phoenix Square
said: "This is an excellent achievement for Phoenix Square to be
recognised for two very different reasons, the innovative and
sustainable design, as well as the community vision. It goes to
show how Phoenix Square is really embedding itself as a focal point
for design, creative and inspiration in the heart of Leicester's
Cultural Quarter and helping to make the city flourish. "
Since opening in November 2009, Phoenix Square has proved a hit
with home owners, tenants and businesses alike, now over 50%
occupied and with a full events, conference and creative workshop
programme. It has already a scooped a reader's choice award from
First Time Buyer magazine and received highly commended in the
Royal Institute of Charters Surveyors East Midlands Awards. The
judges decisions will be revealed at Award ceremonies in September
2010.
Phoenix Square is a unique cultural building which combines
contemporary living space, with independent arts cinema, an
immersive gallery, screen lounge café bar, state of the art
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.