English Partnerships - Mixed-Use Development - Milton Keynes, Central Business Exchange III (CBX 3)

Date: 21 Feb 2005

Work will start this spring on a continental-style business district with smart hotels, a World Trade Centre, quality restaurants and apartments set around a central square in the heart of Milton Keynes.

The £200m development known as Central Business Exchange III (CBX 3) will rise to 14 storeys, a new first for Milton Keynes. The 2.34 ha (5.8 acre) site on Midsummer Boulevard and Witan Gate is five minutes walk from Milton Keynes rail station and will create hundreds of jobs.

Plans for CBX 3 were designed by Quartet Architects/Q2, submitted by developer Frontier Estates and approved late last week by Milton Keynes Council.

Sir Bob Reid, Chairman of Milton Keynes Partnership, said, "I am delighted that the long term vision for the city centre will start to become reality this Spring thanks to the hard work and energy of the Central Milton Keynes Board and executive team.

"CBX 3 is a fantastic development which symbolises the way ahead for the new city. We are creating a more urban look and feel in Central Milton Keynes with taller, high quality, mixed use developments.

"These facilities are essential for a growing city and will be a springboard for attracting more investors and jobs to Milton Keynes. The World Trade Centre will provide links to Europe and beyond and put Milton Keynes firmly on the business map."

Andrew Crowther, Frontier Estates, added, "The close consultation and collaboration of Frontier Estates and four different architectural practices, with English Partnerships and Milton Keynes Council through the CMK Board enabled the exciting proposals to be approved within a rapid planning period of 13 weeks."

CBX 3 will encompass:
A World Trade Centre and 50,000 sq ft high-quality air-conditioned office accommodation
4-star, 279-bed hotel and conference facilities
3-star, 159-bed hotel
386 high quality and affordable residential apartments
84 serviced apartments
High quality bars, cafes, restaurants and specialist retail - with great opportunities for outside dining
Central, one-acre landscaped open space.

The site is located on Midsummer Boulevard towards the western edge of the city centre and will be linked to the existing CBX1 and CBX 2 buildings which currently house a range of offices, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.

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