Watford Borough Council, advised by Montagu Evans, has launched a search for a development partner for its Town Hall Quarter regeneration opportunity.
The 3.5 ha Town Hall Quarter site – which is largely under the Council’s ownership – sits at the north end of Watford High Street, and includes a number of civic uses such as Watford Central Library, two NHS clinics, the Town Hall Annex and surface level car parking with around 360 spaces.
The Council is seeking to appoint a partner to deliver a phased development of the site through a 50:50 joint venture.
Tom Dobrashian, Group Head of Place Shaping at Watford Borough Council said: “The Town Hall Quarter is an opportunity to revitalise this part of Watford town centre, significantly improving the public realm and delivering new complementary uses, including new housing, active ground floors, more intensive use of heritage buildings and improved health, civic and cultural facilities for Watford residents.
“We are already committed to progressing £20m of investment in the Watford Colosseum entertainment venue and the Town Hall building, with works anticipated to commence in 2022, and this wider improvement will complement the Council’s existing capital investment.”
Simon Hope, Partner at Montagu Evans and town centre regeneration specialist said: “This is a site with enormous potential and is a priority regeneration project for the Council.
“Alongside current plans to improve its civic and cultural offer, there is further scope to revitalise the site and bring forward complementary residential and mixed-use development that will contribute to the Council’s ambitions for its town and create an attractive new neighbourhood that addresses housing need and enhances existing heritage assets.”
Selection will be undertaken via a two- stage public procurement process under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 using Find A Tender. It is anticipated a preferred partner will be announced in February 2022. A webinar for interested parties is being hosted by Montagu Evans on 20 April at 9am.
