Reading Borough Council has selected McLaren Living to drive forward and deliver the regeneration of the new £250m ‘Minster Quarter Central’ scheme, following a detailed procurement process.

The scheme will see over 600 new homes, 30% of which will be affordable homes across a range of tenures, including affordable rent and affordable private rent, constructed along with 40,000 sq ft of new commercial space including workspace, retail, food and beverage, and a 102-bed hotel.

Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said: “The regeneration of the Minster Quarter represents an unprecedented opportunity to deliver one of the best located mixed-use development opportunities in the UK.

"Our key aims throughout have been to secure desperately needed affordable housing for Reading, high quality public realm and a net zero development, in line with our wider net-zero ambitions. The preferred bidder has come forward with hugely exciting proposals which tick all of these important boxes and more, including more family-sized homes which we know are in short supply in Reading, a brand new civic space as a gateway to a revitalised Hexagon Theatre, which will contribute to its growth as a destination for arts and culture, a new community hub and, through our commitment to social value, around 100 new local jobs post construction.”

The development is central to the wider Minster Quarter Regeneration Area, which has the potential to create a comprehensive new mixed-use neighbourhood in the heart of Reading town centre, delivering upwards of 1,200 homes.

New high-quality public spaces, including a new ‘Hexagon Square’ as a generous functional and attractive civic space, designed as a gateway to Reading’s iconic Hexagon Theatre and new Studio Theatre. A significant number of new local jobs post-construction and a brand-new community hub will be created.

Matthew Biddle, Managing Director, McLaren Living, said: "We are extremely proud to have been selected to deliver Minster Quarter and look forward to working with Reading Borough Council to regenerate this key town centre site.

"Our ambition is to create a new mixed-use neighbourhood which transforms this historic part of the town, bringing new public realm, much-needed new homes, high-quality employment space and enhances the Hexagon Theatre.”

To develop the proposals, McLaren Living and Reading Borough Council propose an in-depth consultation process, including early engagement with the local community and key stakeholders.