Wates lands major Middlesbrough regeneration

The project is part of the wider £120 million Middlesbrough masterplan, with the first phase including more than 230 build-to-rent properties and residential accommodation for more than 450 students.

International hotel brand Fairfield by Marriott is also in discussions to open a 200-bedroom hotel as part of the wide-scale regeneration project.

The regeneration of the disused brownfield site is spearheaded by the mayoral-led Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC), with property developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property.

A planning application for the first phase of the project is set to be submitted in the coming weeks.

Subject to planning permission and MDC board approval, building work could start by early summer 2025.

The scheme aims to offer ‘high-quality’ accommodation to attract and retain talent in the town, support the growth of Teesside University and kick-start plans to regenerate the centre of Middlesbrough by attracting up to 4,000 jobs.

David Wingfield, managing director for construction East at Wates, said: “The Gresham regeneration will help accelerate this potential even further, bringing a disused area back to life through the creation of a community, and we’re incredibly proud to be appointed to deliver it.

“We plan to deliver more than £50 million in social value to Middlesbrough through this scheme, aligning with our values to create thriving places and allowing us to make a lasting impact in the heart of the community”

Leigh Cresswell, director at iMpeC, said: “This development can be the catalyst to wide-scale public and private investment that will transform the centre of Middlesbrough.

It will help the town’s digital community – the UK’s fastest-growing tech hub – as well as the thriving advanced manufacturing and professional services sectors to attract and retain talent.”