Hanley's on the Up: Etruscan Square Regeneration Plan Moves Forward
In a major boost for Stoke, developer Genr8 Kajima is set to develop affordable residential housing plus leisure and commercial opportunities in the city centre
The multi-million-pound Etruscan Square project next to Hanley bus station has moved a step closer to completion as Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Limited (GKRL) has been granted preferred bidder status.
Once the formal selection process is complete, GKRL, which has worked on similar projects in Rochdale, Halifax and Telford, is set to create affordable residential housing plus leisure and commercial opportunities to the city centre.
The intention is to be on site carrying out surveys and investigations later this year. This will enable the preparation of the site for development in 2026, with construction activity to deliver new homes targeted to commence in 2027.
The plans for Etruscan square key into the wider city centre masterplan, which will see the rejuvenation of Hanley as a place to live, work, shop and visit following consultations with residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors.
The proposed partnership could potentially support the development of further council owned sites across the city, including three key residential sites – at Pyenest Street, Shelton; North Shelton and Bucknall New Road.
Etruscan Square is one of the Midlands’ largest cleared city centre regeneration sites spanning around seven acres. The development site, which is supported by £20 million of Government funding, was once home to the old bus station and former East-West Precinct and lies adjacent to the city’s principal retail centre.
An established joint venture between Genr8 Developments LLP and Kajima Partnerships LLP, GKRL has developed an impressive track record over the last decade in delivering mixed-use regeneration schemes in the UK. This include the Rochdale Riverside mixed-use development, which delivered a new retail, leisure and residential destination to this market town in Greater Manchester.
The GKRL partners also have existing established relationships with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, local residents and businesses through Genr8’s ongoing delivery of the city centre Smithfield development and Kajima’s delivery of the £60m Stoke Extra Care scheme, a collection of flexible and future-proofed retirement villages.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Etruscan Square is one of the most significant regeneration sites in our city, and for far too long, people have been promised action but have seen little progress. That is going to change.
“Having grown up and lived here all my life, I know how frustrating it is to see empty sites holding back investment, jobs, and opportunity. My priority is to bring these spaces back into use and keep our promise to regenerate our city.”
Richard Ingham, Director at Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Limited, said Etruscan Square is an opportunity to revitalise Hanley through residential led mixed-use development.
“Our track record in delivering large-scale regeneration schemes across the UK is driven by our tenacity and passion for creating transformational, aspirational and sustainable environments where communities can thrive.”
