Moor Lane is a new landmark development, consisting of 120 one and two-bedroom apartments across 19 storeys. The development will be one of the tallest residential buildings in Preston.
Part of the wider University Square regeneration, the scheme will offer a significant contribution to the redevelopment of the site, providing links to the surrounding university buildings and business areas. As the site previously housed a gas training centre that was demolished in 2017, the scheme aims to provide a landmark building that will bring back a sense of arrival into Preston city centre.
The scheme will aim to reinforce the urban and civic character of the Central Preston area, whilst also retaining the community value of the urban area.
Design
The design of the scheme and the chosen material palette have taken reference from the existing surroundings and the proposed University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Masterplan, adopting a blend of grey and warm tones to allow the scheme to fully integrate with the area.
The façade is composed of a repetition of brick masonry bands and ‘glazed’ bands, and regularly spaced ribbon windows with inset balconies at curved corners. The key structure of the external building – a series of concrete column blades – will offer a visual contrast to the horizontal bands. This pattern extends to the ground floor, where full height glazing is applied to the communal areas on Moor Lane and Walker Street, helping to activate the façade.
The proposed development of the building incorporates further facilities for the residents, including a communal residents lounge with workspaces, secure cycle storage areas, and a residents-only roof terrace, allowing residents to take advantage of the city views.
Image credits
Virtual Planit ©
Andy Avery
Andy leads Buttress' residential and regeneration team and has the rare ability to cut through to the heart of complex issues to find a solution.
Alison Haigh
Alison is an associate at Buttress with over 20 years of experience in the profession, specialising in the design and delivery of major residential projects.
Sebastian Drayson
Seb is a senior architect with experience across a range of sectors, predominantly in the delivery of large, high-quality schemes within the residential and student residential sectors.