Merchant Gate Wakefield, 2004-ongoing

Introduction

Merchant Gate, Wakefield, initially known as Wakefield Westgate KDA, is one of three major regeneration projects within the City. The site has provided English Cities Fund with an exciting opportunity to create a new mixed use neighbourhood with connections helping to integrate the City Centre.

The site was formed from the amalgamation of a former rail goods yard, dairy and Council Depot sites and included the demolition of the 1960s unloved extension to County Hall.

Scheme Approach

A careyjones architects team led by Simon were tasked with resolving the Councils aspirations to create an "Emerald Link". The site needed to retain a pedestrian friendly environment with links to the centre and neighbouring communities; deemed essential to the formation of the masterplan. The solution avoided excessively wide roads with the introduction of a gyratory one way system which effectively took the road network down from four lanes of traffic to two with a single carriageway for the secondary access routes. Strategically placed raised crossings provide ease of pedestrian movement throughout.

The scheme is given identity and legibility by focusing key routes on the City's landmarks; providing a sense of place to the new development. The tight urban grain of the scheme is punctuated by new open spaces including the new Burgage Square which has been completed as part of phase one for the overall scheme.

Residential

Phase one of the scheme includes a 66 apartment block which forms the Western edge of the new public square. Sitting over the terraced ground floor retail and leisure units the stepped three and four storey residential block climbs up the hill, responding to the incline of the site. The apartments are arranged around two connected entrance cores with primary access off the new square. The cut form of the plan sets up the vista to the Town Hall clock tower. Architecturally this cut is expressed by the use of an aluminium sinusoidal external skin, combined with the timber veneered Parklex panel to the uncut face. This use of unconventional materials gives a fresh and contemporary feel to the whole whilst giving a sense of cohesion when seen with the neighbouring office buildings.