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The development of Highcross, Leicester
Highcross, Leicester city centre's new focus for premium quality shopping and entertainment, opened to the public in September 2008. Developed in a 60:40 joint venture by Hammerson and Hermes, the £350 million scheme has more than doubled the retail provision in this part of the city. Comprising a substantially refurbished shopping centre, formerly known as The Shires, and the creation of an additional 60,000 m2 of new retail, leisure, restaurant, and residential accommodation on an adjacent 10 hectare site, Highcross has been seamlessly integrated to provide a single vibrant destination of over 100,000 m2.
Developed in close consultation with Leicester City Council and URC Leicester Regeneration, Highcross represents a major part of a wider regeneration programme to revitalise the city.
Over £3 billion is currently being invested in new projects and developments including a high-speed rail connection to mainland Europe. When completed, these schemes, together with the combination of premier city centre living, shopping, dining and entertainment provided by Highcross, will position Leicester as the dominant regional destination for the East Midlands.
Innovations brought to Leicester through Highcross include:
- Maximising the potential of an existing and highly successful shopping centre
- Bringing a 10 hectare former industrial site back into economic use
- Creating new accommodation for retailers to establish a first time presence in the city centre
- Introducing a mix of uses not seen in the centre of Leicester before now
- Re-invigorating the city's evening economy through the provision of a new restaurant quarter and the city centre's first multiplex cinema
- Expanding the city's retail offer through the introduction of a range of high quality fashion and lifestyle retailers to keep Leicester's shoppers in the city
- Opening up the city by creating new squares and pedestrian streets and ensuring connectivity by linking these through to neighbouring shopping areas and regeneration projects
- Re-positioning the city's national profile through comprehensive marketing and media campaigns
- Creating a development of design excellence through the appointment of seven architectural firms
- Introducing iconic landmarks to Leicester's cityscape with dramatic designs for the scheme's two anchor buildings – John Lewis and Cinema de Lux
Highcross – at the heart of Leicester's transformation
Housing 120 aspirational fashion and lifestyle retailers, three department stores – including John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser – up to 15 new cafés and restaurants, 120 residential apartments, 3,000 parking spaces, and Leicester's very first city centre multiplex cinema, Highcross is at the heart of Leicester's transformation.
Other new developments in the city include a performing arts centre at the hub of the city's new cultural quarter, a 50,000 m2 business quarter, an science park, a waterside destination, and over 5,000 new homes.
Highcross – iconic design
At Highcross, seven award-winning design firms were brought together to create a new style of destination for the city integrating an exciting mix of architecture, dramatic landmarks, newly created open streets and squares, restored street patterns and historic buildings.
Internationally acclaimed design practice, Foreign Office Architects, has been responsible for the creation of two iconic landmark buildings – the four level flagship department store for John Lewis and a Cinema de Lux 12-screen multiplex – making Leicester the first UK location to see buildings by these celebrated architects.
Highcross – premier shopping brought to the city
Leading fashion and lifestyle retailers attracted to Leicester for the first time include All Saints, Apple, Cruise, Ghost, G-Star, Henleys, Hobbs, Hugo Boss, H&M, Lacoste, New Look, Reiss, Republic, River Island and Zara.
The new restaurant quarter, arranged around two new public squares at the heart of the scheme, will introduce high quality restaurateurs such as Canas y Tapas, YO! Sushi, Wagamama, Carluccios, and the Handmade Burger Company to Leicester for the first time.
Nearly five million people live within an hour's drive of Leicester. Highcross Leicester's new mix of shops and brands will ensure spending power stays in the city, and propel Leicester into the UK's top ten rankings of retail venues.