Gloucester City Council and Reef Group plan to redevelop the Kings Walk shopping centre and Kings Square to provide 135,000 sq ft of office space, a 130-room hotel, 43 residential apartments and cafes, bars and restaurants at street level.
The scheme is branded the Forum, which the developers are promoting it as “a digital campus will be at the forefront of digital innovation providing one of the most digitally connected and cyber-secure developments in the country”.
Gloucester City Council leader Richard Cook said: “The appointment of Kier represents a significant milestone in bringing forward The Forum, and making a reality of our vision of Gloucester as a hub for the digital and cyber sectors. As well as attracting new investment into the city, The Forum will be an inspiring and attractive place for residents and visitors, completely transforming what was formerly a tired part of the city.”
Reef Group development director Esther Croft said: “The digital campus is going to be at the cutting edge of tech innovation and will provide attractive workspaces for the next generation of tech talent in the UK. The project is progressing at pace and will be a fantastic addition to the city, retaining graduate talent as well as appealing to tech professionals looking to relocate.”
Kier Construction Western & Wales regional director Andy Bolas predicted it would become “a beacon for technology and cyber security businesses in the southwest”.
The Forum is expected to be completed in summer 2024.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
