Leicester’s Connecting Spaces regeneration scheme, masterplanned by AJ100 architects Stephen George + Partners, will see the refurbishment of the Great Central Station and the site of the former Stibbe factory transformed into an area filled with new hotels, offices and a traffic-free public space. “Leicester city centre is undergoing widespread transformation, with regeneration projects in the cultural, business and waterside quarters,” said John Morfey, Partner at Stephen George + Partners. “The station and Stibbe sites represent an important part of the jigsaw: having lain neglected for so long, the Masterplan which we have designed with Charles Street Buildings breathes new life into the area with new buildings and a public space which will add to Leicester’s developing sequence of squares.” The former Stibbe site received planning permission in October 2017. Its redevelopment will include a new 43,000 sq ft office block, a 152 bed Novotel hotel, a 100 bed Adagio aparthotel and the refurbishment of the station, including its glass canopy and front façade, designed by Stephen George + Partners. At the heart of the proposal is a new traffic-free public space, which will include part of Great Central Street so that the refurbished station becomes integral to the development. In addition, the plan includes the creation of a new pedestrian super-crossing of Vaughan Way, which will link the development directly to the city centre. “The development of this site, with the pedestrian super-crossing of Vaughan Way and the continuation of this route to the Great Central Station, provides a key link between the city centre and the Waterside Regeneration Area,” added John Morfey. Founded in 1970, Stephen George + Partners is one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, employing over 80 staff across offices in London, Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham and Solihull. Success in the UK has led to opportunities overseas, resulting in the establishment of Stephen George International in 2009 and the International Logistics Design Group in 2014. In 2016 Stephen George + Partners turned over £6 million.