LESLIE JONES Architects
Q. Are things getting better?... A. Well,maybe...
 
It's spring-time and there's a cautious optimism in the air...
 
Like most of the industry, Leslie Jones has seen and lived the worst of the recession with our clients. Yet through strong client partnerships and a dedicated mutual support through the roughest times – we’re now seeing schemes come back to life; new ones beginning and new exciting relationships forming.
With the future still uncertain, however, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients, staff and project teams for the continuing support, trust and loyalty in Leslie Jones.

Thanks to all, we are proud to be able to share the following snippets of good news this Spring-time...
Photographic Composition of Eldon Square Shopping Centre

New Opening: Newcastle's New Living Room

Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Newcastle – Capital Shopping Centres

February saw the completion and launch of the new extension to Capital Shopping Centres’ Eldon Square in Newcastle – bringing 400,000sq ft of brand new retail to the town centre.

The success of the launch was seen in the excitement and attraction of tens of thousands of eager shoppers who flocked to the opening of the Leslie Jones designed scheme.

See video Courtesy of EGiTV

Internally the impressive 8m shop fronts; dramatic lighting, quality finishes and the introduction of natural light to the Centre have created a vibrant destination that has brought new life to this much loved city.

The scheme sitting within the conservation area of Grainger Town and adjacent to Grade I listed Grainger Market, challenged the design team to successfully integrate the requirements for a contemporary, high quality centre whilst maintaining a sympathetic external elevation.

Testament to the new design is the attraction of the Centre – which opened fully let - for discerning brands such as Guess and Apple – whose store had record 6 hour queues on the day.

Councillor John Shipley, Leader of the Newcastle City Council summed it all up with the description of the centre as:

a tremendous addition to the heart
of Newcastle as a destination…
Wembley Artists Impression


New Beginning: Winning at Wembley
Wembley City – Quintain Estates
and Development

  


Leslie Jones is progressing a planning application for the outlet shopping and leisure elements of this ground breaking project.

Having worked closely with the development team at Quintain, to re-shape the consented scheme, an innovative solution has emerged reflecting the market that is to prevail for the coming years. The progress made on the project reflects the gradual move toward more activity in the retail property sector. It is this along with other schemes making similar progress that has required the business to increase staff numbers.

New Vision: Masterplan at Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells - The Tunbridge Wells Regeneration Company comprising Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and John Laing PLC
   
Masterplan
 

Leslie Jones is excited to have been appointed by The Tunbridge Wells Regeneration Company, to review how the current civic centre site might be brought forward as a retail-led mixed-use development. The site is seen as vital in providing an effective link between the northern and southern areas of the town, securing for Tunbridge Wells urban renewal and economic regeneration. The work, won in competition, required Leslie Jones to demonstrate a good understanding of the locality and the specific challenges facing the town as it moves forward.

A broad mix of uses are being considered for the development, the success of which will depend heavily on an effective integration with the historic context of this fine Kent town.

New Start: Wakefield Back on Site

Trinity Walk, Wakefield – Sovereign Land

When Sovereign Land and AREA Property Partners bought Trinity Walk in Wakefield out of administration they approached Leslie Jones to carry out a design audit of the existing scheme. This commission has now evolved into a client architect role where we are reshaping parts of the scheme and liaising with the tenants to ensure their requirements are met.

Our intrinsic knowledge of the value drivers has ensured that focus has been concentrated on those aspects of the scheme where value can be enhanced or where the customer experience needs to be improved.