A landmark £45 million development in the heart of Preston, the highly anticipated Animate scheme recently opened its doors, creating a new leisure destination for the north west.
Located adjacent to Preston Markets on the site of the former indoor market and car park, this flagship development is part of the Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme. Designed to reinvigorate the city centre, it incorporates a state-of-the-art cinema and leisure complex, redefining Preston’s cultural and entertainment landscape.
As one of six major projects within Preston’s £200 million Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, the Animate scheme has breathed new life into this key central site. By creating a diverse offering of culture, leisure, and employment opportunities, the wider initiative aims to position the Harris Quarter as a vibrant hub for the community.
A new centre for entertainment
The flagship scheme is home to a variety of attractions designed to enhance Preston’s cultural and leisure offerings. Key features include an eight-screen cinema, 16-lane bowling alley with gaming zone, five family restaurant units, a food hall, public realm, a competitive socialising unit and 164-space basement car park.
The scheme was brought forward by Maple Grove Developments, part of Preston-based contractor Eric Wright Group, in partnership with Preston City Council. Waterman’s team was involved from the inception, from early pre-planning throughout the planning application process and on to completion. Our team provided structural engineering, civil engineering including geotechnical, land quality and drainage elements, as well as building services, environmental and acoustics consultancy.
Embracing the past, designing for the future
Inspired by the city’s textile production history, Leach Rhodes Walker’s architectural design blends modernity with elements of Preston’s industrial heritage. This approach led to the selection of a striking façade of patterned metallic panels which features a design by local artist Bonnie Craig. Her use of ‘Tenterhook’ shapes echoes Preston’s industrial legacy, while seamlessly blending with contemporary materials and large, glazed areas.
To facilitate this striking design, Waterman’s structural design solution contains around 1,150 tonnes of steel within the new frame. With the installation taking place at this highly constrained and bustling location, the frame was erected in carefully managed phases. This approach saw each section built sequentially, rather than floor by floor.
In a bid to enhance visitor experiences, Animate incorporates a host of public realm improvements, with attractive new public spaces around the market canopy, pedestrian pathways, and plenty of green spaces for people to enjoy. The scheme promotes active travel uptake by interfacing with cycling and pedestrian networks, whilst the nearby public transport hubs provide a range of sustainable options for visitors.
A focus on sustainability
Sustainability sits at the heart of the Animate scheme, with efforts to enhance environmental performance punctuating the design. This sees the project harnessing high-performance building materials and energy-efficient systems throughout to reduce overall energy consumption. In addition, rainwater harvesting systems and sustainable drainage solutions have been integrated to boost the scheme’s climate resilience.
These efforts combine to create a development that not only meets current environmental standards but also contributes positively to the city’s long-term sustainability goals.
Andrew Davies, Waterman’s Structures Regional Director, said: “The Animate scheme represents a significant investment in Preston’s future, which is transforming the city centre into a thriving hub of activity and entertainment. The opening marks a major milestone for everyone involved in the project. The collaboration between the public and private sectors has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and we’re incredibly proud to have played a part in delivering meaningful benefits to the community, enhancing Preston’s appeal as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.”
Images courtesy of Leach Rhodes Walker
