In 2022 Ares Landscape Architects were appointed by Wilmott Dixon Construction, to develop the design for a public realm development in Nottingham City Centre.
The Nottingham City Council aspiration for the Broad Marsh area was to transform the city center by placing nature bio-diversity, community and play at the hearty of the proposal. Using grant funding secured from Central Government through the Transforming Cities program the reimagined public realm has provided a more dynamic and appealing city center for residents and visitors alike.
Key outcomes are:
- An open, vibrant, welcoming space in the city for anyone arriving by bus, tram, train, car, bike or on foot.
- A new public space between the New College, Nottingham Central Library and Nottingham Castle, with spaces for outdoor seating, food and drink and areas for children to play.
- Areas will include a bright, tree-lined space with high quality paving with landscaping, public art, and outdoor cafés, transforming them into safe and attractive spaces for people to enjoy.
- Views to the Castle will be preserved, with space for art boxes and words in the paving, celebrating both the new Central Library and Nottingham’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature, included as part of the design
The design was taken to a Stage 3 level of design by Townshend Landscape Architects who worked with Nottingham City Council on the original concept, although several elements of design were specifically left for future design development. Ares Landscape Architects then completed the design on behalf of Contractor Willmott Dixon.
The public realm delivered by Ares Landscape Architects was split into two interrelated schemes; Collin Street and Lister Gate, aka the ‘Green Heart’
Collin Street project centers around the creation of a new playground in this pedestrian space, with elements of seating, planting, play and lighting. Whilst Lister Gate Green Heart focuses on the creation of a new public biophilic green space.
Collin Street was completed on site and in autumn 2023 with the green heart opening to the Public in 2024. In 2025 the Green Heart won the Architects’ Journal (AJ) Architect Awards Landscape and Public Realm Project category.
