Middlehaven
THINGS are certainly hotting up for a Middlesbrough firm set to invest up to a cool £50m to become one of the first developers at Middlehaven.
Chilli Developments plans an ambitious scheme which will take both the firm itself and Middlehaven to the next level and Tees Valley Regeneration which is leading the development of the site, has welcomed Chilli’s interest – delighted that the one of the first firms to submit a planning application is local. Now managing director – Boro fan Simon Brown, along with his partners Philip Allick and Derek Fowler - can’t wait to get the ball rolling.
National architects firm Ferguson McIlveen, which boasts a significant Middlesbrough base, has designed an impressive mixed-use scheme in keeping with Middlehaven’s ambition for new age architecture and emphasis on quality. Chilli’s proposal involves an interpretation of the first waterfront “sugar cubes” as set out in Alsop Architects’ ambitious masterplan for Middlehaven. The waterfront scheme comprises of a range of 1,2, 3 and penthouse high quality apartments, a mix of ground floor shops, bars and restaurants, some commercial office space and of course a new base for Chilli itself. The scheme is following on the heels of the first developer to start work on the site - Terrace Hill is building a prestigious 170,000 sq ft office complex – Manhattan Gate.
Simon had an inauspicious start in the world of business – he moved back to the North-east from London after being made redundant threes times – deciding the only way to guarantee himself work was to start his own business! How he launched his first business from a bedroom at his parents’ home with just £500 in his back pocket is history now as Simon takes his rightful place as one of Tees Valley ’s leading businessmen. He still doesn’t believe he’s earned the tag of entrepreneur – but maybe this challenging and ambitious project is the scheme to catapult him closer to it.
Simon says his decision to put his shirt on this development is in keeping with the mind set for Middlehaven – and he is used to backing winners.
“Middlehaven is all about bravery – people may think we are taking a risk here but if they knew how much research and planning has gone into this they would understand why I am so confident and committed.
Tees Valley Regeneration’s Sean Egan , project director for Middlehaven, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for a local company such as Chilli Developments to deliver an exciting scheme at Middlehaven.
“Chilli has put a lot of time and effort into this proposal and we look forward to seeing it come to fruition. We have been working with Chilli Developments and its project team for some time and are excited and enthused by the scale of their ambition and their commitment to the area. The design and vision is in keeping with the Alsop masterplan for Middlehaven and reflects the type of quality development we are insisting takes place on this site. We look forward to continuing to work with them as they take the next steps to move their scheme forward. We have had a lot of interest from local, national and international developers about our ambitious proposals for Middlehaven and we are now beginning to roll our development programme forward – Chilli’s proposals are just the beginning.”
Steve Gawthorpe, area director of English Partnerships, which owns the land and has already invested £18m in reclaiming the site and providing services and infrastructure, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a local company to put its name on the map. English Partnerships is pleased to provide this opportunity for such an ambitious, up-and-coming company and we look forward to seeing the firm realise these exciting proposals."
Simon said: “Chilli may be a relatively small business at the moment – but so are they all - until they start to think big. I just can’t wait to get started and putting in this planning application takes us another rung up the ladder."
This Simon was drawn to the concept of Middlehaven’s 24 hour vision after seeing impressive developments such as Teesdale at Stockton closing down after office hours.
He wants to see his development come alive at night and at weekends. and his plan will see him truly living the Middlehaven dream of work- live- play – he’ll have his own penthouse apartment, with café, restaurant, bar, shopping and leisure facilities on his doorstep. In fact once he’s built it he may never have to leave! chilli has already invested a significant sum drawing up and fine-tuning its plans for the site and has secured financial backing for the whole scheme which could go on to include a second phase bringing total investment of around £50m.
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