The Quad, Station Quarter - Telford

Gleeds supports £17m Quad Development, pioneering education and commercial space in Telford

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Delivering a state-of-the-art facility to foster education, innovation, and business growth. The Quad forms a central part of the wider Station Quarter regeneration scheme.

Telford & Wrekin Council embarked on an ambitious regeneration project known as ‘Station Quarter’, aiming to transform the town's northern sector into a vibrant hub for education, commerce, and urban living. As part of this initiative, The Quad development is designed to address local inequalities in education and drive economic growth by equipping the local workforce with essential digital and maths skills. Gleeds was selected to provide multi-disciplinary services to ensure the successful delivery of this £17 million project, which reached practical completion in August 2024 and became operational the following month.

The Quad encompasses a 4,500 square metre, five-storey building, incorporating spaces for education, training, and enterprise. Anchored by tenants such as Telford College, Harper Adams University, and European Innovation, The Quad is set to become a thriving centre for digital and technical skills development that aligns with local business needs. The building’s facilities are designed to offer vital resources to the community, promoting new local enterprises while addressing inequality in access to education.

The project is part of ‘Station Quarter Phase 1’, a broader £80 million regeneration initiative, which includes large-scale remediation, residential developments, and extensive public realm improvements. The overarching goal is to create a vibrant town centre, focusing on connectivity, sustainable living, and long-term economic growth.

£ 17

m

construction value

£ 80

million

total value of Station Quarter Phase 1 regeneration scheme

4,500

sqm

five-storey development

The challenge

The Quad’s success hinged on navigating several complexities, including financial and logistical hurdles. From the outset, budget constraints and inflationary pressures, exacerbated by the post-COVID economic environment, posed significant risks to project viability. Additionally, the project’s approval process was intertwined with the wider Station Quarter’s hybrid planning application, making programme management especially challenging.

As sustainability was a key priority for Telford & Wrekin Council, The Quad’s design had to incorporate renewable technologies like air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs), all while adhering to strict budgetary constraints.

The solution

Gleeds was initially brought on board to assist Telford & Wrekin Council with the development of their Towns Investment Fund application. Serving as the lead consultant, Gleeds played a key role in master planning, economic viability appraisals, and cost management for the project. Through our strategic partner, Perfect Circle, we provided programme management, cost consultancy, and client advisory services throughout the project’s lifecycle - from RIBA Stages one through six.

To address the challenges, Gleeds worked closely with the Council and project stakeholders to ensure long-lead-time items were procured in advance, mitigating potential delays. Our team also collaborated with the contractor and design consultants to develop a phased construction programme that ensured the project stayed on track despite the volatile economic environment.

Furthermore, as sustainability was central to the project’s design and delivery, we worked with the planning team to ensure The Quad met the highest environmental standards, implementing sustainable travel plans, energy-efficient systems, and innovative building materials.

The benefits

The Quad delivers a broad range of social, economic, and environmental benefits. As the first development to complete under the Station Quarter masterplan, it plays a pivotal role in addressing workforce and education inequality by offering state-of-the-art training facilities. The building provides a platform for local businesses to grow and innovate, contributing to Telford’s economic resilience and diversification.

Environmentally, the project’s focus on renewable energy sources and sustainable building practices underscores the Council’s commitment to green development. The incorporation of air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels supports the project’s goal of reducing carbon emissions, aligning with the broader sustainability objectives of the Station Quarter scheme.

The future

Station Quarter Phase 1, which runs from 2022 to 2026, will continue to evolve with a mix of high- and low-rise residential developments, commercial spaces, and public realm improvements. As the first major facility to open within this scheme, The Quad sets a precedent for future phases, including a 142-bed hotel and extensive highways improvements.

With a total project value of £80 million, Station Quarter represents a transformative opportunity for Telford. Gleeds is proud to be part of this vision, supporting Telford & Wrekin Council in their efforts to create a sustainable, vibrant future for the town.

At Gleeds, we believe in delivering more than just buildings - we create spaces that have a lasting positive impact on communities, businesses, and the environment. The Quad stands as a testament to that commitment, providing vital infrastructure that will support Telford’s growth for years to come.

Gleeds’ project management and cost consultancy support on this complex project have been exceptional throughout. Despite a challenging budget, multiple complex stakeholder interfaces and an incredibly tight programme, this landmark building was delivered to the highest standard, on time and to budget. Gleeds not only managed this project but took ownership of it, delivering a proactive management style which has been supported by a genuinely collaborative approach, high quality communications across the team, a focus on problem solving and a real attention to detail which ensures success.

Kate Callis
Service Delivery Manager – Housing Investment Programme, Telford & Wrekin Council

Gleeds is extremely proud to be working on Station Quarter. We’ve been involved since 2019, supporting the Council on initial funding applications that helped secure the scheme, which has been an amazing experience. The highs and lows that come with any project, especially large-scale regeneration schemes, have made it that much more rewarding now components such as The Quad are becoming operational. To see Phase 1 delivered in its entirety, and Phase 2 gaining traction, is so exciting and great for Gleeds to have played such a pivotal role in its success.

Matt Darby
Regional Director at Gleeds
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