Mixed-use development remains an attractive proposition, having so often proven key to the successful regeneration of urban environment, providing a much-needed to boost to both the local economy and quality of life. Here, RLI looks at just a small selection of important new mixed-use projects.
Mixed-use development is becoming increasingly essential in the creation of attractive, sustainable urban environments that promote healthy economies, environmental quality and social equity. Of course, given differences scale, scope and end use, certain aspects within the development process will differ from more ‘conventional’ single-use schemes. The difference between the two models can be seen in the diversity of team members, the necessity of multiple market analysis and a multi-layer, as opposed to single-source, financial structure.
The term ‘mixed-use’ covers a diverse scale and range of different usages; depending on their size, such projects might incorporate retail, housing, hotels, offices, restaurants, cinemas, health clubs, plazas, galleries and gardens.
Featuring three flame-shaped towers, blue- and orange-tinted glass and honeycomb skylights, the Flame Towers in Baku, Azerbaijan represent one of the most striking mixed-use developments ever constructed.
The towers were built to reflect the region’s history of fire worship and natural gas, while delivering a bold vision for the future. The project was designed by HOK International for Azinko Development MMC.
Leisure and retail spaces provide seamless continuity between the interior and exterior, creating a natural connection between the towers that reinforces their urban surroundings. Lighting up Baku's skyline, these flickering flames will offer an aspirational vision of the future, fit for this global city.
Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects for developer Hines Italia, the new UniCredit Tower office complex is located within one of the largest mixed-use urban regeneration projects in Europe, Porta Nuova in Milan, Italy, where 290,000sq m of brownfield land is being transformed into a LEED GOLD certified development. The project’s three buildings are situated on a podium six metres above street level; they surround a large circular plaza that connects the existing city centre with a new 160,000sq m pedestrian area, including one of the largest urban parks in Milan.
Around the piazza, a glass-and-steel, ring-shaped canopy connects the podiums of the three towers.Two levels of shops are above the piazza, with additional retail and dining at the sunken level. In addition to retail, the combined podium contains parking and a direct connection to the Stazione Garibaldi rail station.
Extending south, the piazza meets Corso Como, a pedestrian street of fashion shops, restaurants, and cafés.
The main tower of the complex is 230m high, making it the tallest building in Italy.
This year, UniCredit will transfer some 4,000 staff to its new headquarters, reducing the number of its office locations in Milan from 26 to 5 and creating an annual saving of real estate costs of approximately €25M.
The UniCredit Towers project will be completed by 2015, with the construction of the multi-purpose centre which will host activities, event and projects organized for the City, either by the Group or external entities. A company nursery will also be located onsite.
The Co-operative Group is undertaking a major mixed-use development in Manchester, UK. Designed by a team that includes Aedas Architects, 3DReid, Ian Simpson Architects, PLP Architecture and Roger Stephenson Architects, NOMA is set to create a vibrant new city centre district in the heart of Manchester. The £800M, 1.2 million square metre project will transform the area into a place where people will be able to work, shop, relax and have fun.
For the full article, please see the March 2013 issue.
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