// The Crown Estate releases CGI flythrough footage of Fosse Park expansion to mark 6 months since construction started
// Expansion will create new retail & food space along with event spaces & improved landscaping, walkways & parking
// The 140,000sq ft expansion is the result of a £168m investment from The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate has released new CGI footage which reveals how Fosse Park would look once its £168 million transformation is complete.
The video was released to mark six months since construction on the 140,000sq ft expansion commenced, which will create new retail and food space along with communal areas, event spaces, improved landscaping and parking, widened walkways and enhanced accessibility.
The additional space will equate to increase of 40 per cent for Fosse Park, which is located three miles south west of Leicester city centre and attracts over 11 million shoppers per year.
As well as reaching the six-month construction milestone, Fosse Park is also celebrating its 30th birthday.
The Crown Estate, which owns 50 per cent of Fosse Park through the Fosse Partnership, said the current work to extend the site and redevelop the food court would further cement its reputation as the region’s premium shopping destination.
Bowmer & Kirkland, the construction company which originally built Fosse Park 30 years ago, is also undertaking the construction work of the expansion began in April.
Since then, 8400 tonnes of crushed concrete have been re-used on site following the demolition of Everards Brewery to make way for Fosse Park West, and a further 530 tonnes of material have been demolished at the food court – with 99 per cent being recycled and used in ongoing construction, including the Fosse Park West car parks.
In addition, the steelworks for all units have been completed using 1300 tonnes of steel and roofing is due to be completed ahead of Christmas.
Over the next six months, 500 metres of aluminium window frames and 400 tonnes of glass will be installed at Fosse Park West, with external works to the car park continuing and fit out works to some of the retail units commencing.
At Food Central, piling and foundations will be formed along with the construction of the steel frame, the underground drainage and slabs, and the commencement of the roof and facades.
Alongside construction, work has been ongoing to improve the existing park, including resurfacing the car park at Fosse Park North and refreshing the façades at a number of units, including Carphone Warehouse and Clarks.
The current phase of work is almost complete, with the car park now completely resurfaced and the façades work due to be completed this month.
The second phase is expected to begin in the new year.
The redevelopment of Fosse Park is creating a total of 2500 jobs, of which 1000 are construction jobs while the the remaining will be for the new retail and food businesses that will open up with the expansion.
“The investment into both Fosse Park West and the new food and beverage offering, Food Central, will create new jobs for the local area, new shops and restaurants for visitors to the park, and more opportunities for retailers to engage with shoppers,” The Crown Estate senior asset manager Mike Bell said.
“With more than 45 per cent of units already pre-let, I am excited to continue conversations with the market in bringing the best brands to Fosse Park as we create a brilliant destination for years to come.”
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