Plymouth City Council exemplifies how strategic planning and meticulous execution can drive substantial urban enhancement while fostering meaningful community growth.
In May 2014, Plymouth City Council secured a transformative £21 million funding grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This substantial investment provided the foundation to modernise Devon’s historic coastal city while preserving its distinguished legacy as a cornerstone of British Royal Navy heritage.
Aligned with the Mayflower 400 voyage anniversary, Stride Treglown assembled and led a multidisciplinary group of specialists. Over two years, this collaborative partnership brought together Plymouth City Council, Atkins, Ward Williams Associates, and Faithful & Gould to realise an ambitious shared vision.
The project centred on the Grade II listed Tavistock Place Plymouth, developing a comprehensive transformation scheme enhanced by innovative placemaking strategies designed to unite communities within the emerging cultural quarter. The reimagined public area created an exciting setting for the South West’s largest creative arts venue.
Rebranded as ‘The Box‘, this revitalised development became the cornerstone of the city’s cultural aspirations. The transformation permanently enhanced the surrounding area by restricting vehicular access while introducing dedicated cycling infrastructure and expansive communal spaces that prioritise pedestrian experience.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Plymouth City Council exemplifies how strategic planning and meticulous execution can drive substantial urban enhancement while fostering meaningful community growth.
In May 2014, Plymouth City Council secured a transformative £21 million funding grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This substantial investment provided the foundation to modernise Devon’s historic coastal city while preserving its distinguished legacy as a cornerstone of British Royal Navy heritage.
Aligned with the Mayflower 400 voyage anniversary, Stride Treglown assembled and led a multidisciplinary group of specialists. Over two years, this collaborative partnership brought together Plymouth City Council, Atkins, Ward Williams Associates, and Faithful & Gould to realise an ambitious shared vision.
The project centred on the Grade II listed Tavistock Place Plymouth, developing a comprehensive transformation scheme enhanced by innovative placemaking strategies designed to unite communities within the emerging cultural quarter. The reimagined public area created an exciting setting for the South West’s largest creative arts venue.
Rebranded as ‘The Box‘, this revitalised development became the cornerstone of the city’s cultural aspirations. The transformation permanently enhanced the surrounding area by restricting vehicular access while introducing dedicated cycling infrastructure and expansive communal spaces that prioritise pedestrian experience.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
“Creating The Box and continuing to welcome visitors to engage in our treasured collections, inspiring spaces would not have been possible without the generous support of many valued partners and suppliers”
Construction commenced in March 2017 under the expert guidance of Willmott Dixon. Collaborating with GreenBlue Urban, the construction team excavated strategic tree pit trenches around the History Centre perimeter, significantly enhancing the area’s green infrastructure. Eight carefully positioned trees now frame the main entrance, creating a welcoming gateway to the cultural precinct.
Willmott Dixon demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability by engaging UK-based suppliers and utilising over 79% of domestically produced materials, supporting local industry while reducing environmental impact.
The development’s most notable feature lies in its multipurpose, nature-based engineering approach. The strategically designed tree pits serve dual functions: expanding the city’s urban canopy while operating as integral components of a sustainable urban drainage system.
GreenBlue Urban’s specialised solutions, including ArborCell and RootSpace systems, were selected to maximise water storage capacity, achieving an impressive 5.57 cubic meters of subsurface water management capability. This comprehensive approach was further enhanced by the use of ArborSoil Hydro, a specialist growing medium specifically formulated for SuDS tree pits, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
The installation was completed with eight premium double-tray galvanised Castle Tree Grilles that integrate seamlessly with the surrounding pavement design, maintaining both functionality and aesthetic coherence.
“Creating The Box and continuing to welcome visitors to engage in our treasured collections, inspiring spaces would not have been possible without the generous support of many valued partners and suppliers”
Construction commenced in March 2017 under the expert guidance of Willmott Dixon. Collaborating with GreenBlue Urban, the construction team excavated strategic tree pit trenches around the History Centre perimeter, significantly enhancing the area’s green infrastructure. Eight carefully positioned trees now frame the main entrance, creating a welcoming gateway to the cultural precinct.
Willmott Dixon demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability by engaging UK-based suppliers and utilising over 79% of domestically produced materials, supporting local industry while reducing environmental impact.
The development’s most notable feature lies in its multipurpose, nature-based engineering approach. The strategically designed tree pits serve dual functions: expanding the city’s urban canopy while operating as integral components of a sustainable urban drainage system.
GreenBlue Urban’s specialised solutions, including ArborCell and RootSpace systems, were selected to maximise water storage capacity, achieving an impressive 5.57 cubic meters of subsurface water management capability. This comprehensive approach was further enhanced by the use of ArborSoil Hydro, a specialist growing medium specifically formulated for SuDS tree pits, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
The installation was completed with eight premium double-tray galvanised Castle Tree Grilles that integrate seamlessly with the surrounding pavement design, maintaining both functionality and aesthetic coherence.
The project’s success garnered international attention when The Box, Plymouth was recognised by the New York Times as a premier destination to visit in 2020, validating the transformation’s cultural and tourism significance. It continues to go from strength to strength and in late 2024, visitor numbers to this award-winning venue hit 900,000.
This initiative demonstrates how strategic vision, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability can fundamentally reshape urban landscapes while enriching both cultural heritage and community connectivity. This transformation serves as a compelling model for cities seeking to balance historical preservation with forward-thinking development.
The project’s success garnered international attention when The Box, Plymouth was recognised by the New York Times as a premier destination to visit in 2020, validating the transformation’s cultural and tourism significance. It continues to go from strength to strength and in late 2024, visitor numbers to this award-winning venue hit 900,000.
This initiative demonstrates how strategic vision, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability can fundamentally reshape urban landscapes while enriching both cultural heritage and community connectivity. This transformation serves as a compelling model for cities seeking to balance historical preservation with forward-thinking development.
