Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead - Civic Zone Regeneration

Located between Hemel Hempstead town centre and the Old Town, the site was previously home to the Council’s Civic Centre buildings. The site, currently undergoing demolition, consists of three distinct areas split across two levels - Higher-level former piazza – Adjacent to Marlowes; - Lower-level main site (3m below piazza) – Previously occupied by the Civic Centre; - Eastern hardstanding area – Formerly part of Dacorum Way’s loop.

The surrounding context is evolving, with ongoing redevelopment between Marlowes and Leighton Buzzard Road. The Council’s Forum building has set a benchmark for town centre regeneration, influencing neighbouring development projects, including 150 dwellings and commercial space, currently under construction located between the Civic Forum and the site; to the north,West Herts College site – Undergoing expansion work, including a new educational building near Marlowes and a residential development adjacent to the River Gade.

The concept design evolved through three key iterations to align with the adjacent evolving developments and the evolving brief. Iteration 1 - the perimeter block; iteration 2 - the merging of sites and half a perimeter block; and iteration 3 - the introduction of the ‘T’ building.

The design remains consistent with the principles established in the earlier iteration. Building A features commercial spaces at the front of the ground floor, with the remainder of the ground floor and all upper floors dedicated to residential use, activating the Marlowes frontage. Building B is entirely residential, while Building C follows a similar approach to Building A, incorporating commercial spaces on the lower ground floor with residential flats above.

CZR comprising 211 dwellings and three commercial units. Building A includes 54 one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental flats, along with 275 sqm of commercial space; Building B consists of 100 one- and two-bedroom flats, comprising 80 private sale/rental units and 20 shared ownership units; and overlooking the river, Building C includes 57 one- and two-bedroom flats for market sale and two commercial spaces of 195 sqm and 140 sqm on the lower ground floor.

The site is divided into two levels. The upper ground floor, accessed from Marlowes, serves Building A and the courtyard podium, while the lower ground floor, accessed from Dacorum Way, serves Buildings B and C, as well as the 211-space car park beneath the podium. The redesign of Dacorum Way, which also serves the college, introduces a narrower carriageway, a wider pedestrian pavement, and reinstated perpendicular parking. The expanded footpath now leads to the river, connecting to a newly designed riverside piazza—a welcoming public space that fosters a vibrant atmosphere, enhanced by the lower ground floor commercial units opening onto the area.

The material palette is carefully selected to complement the surrounding context. Light and medium buff brickwork define the building mass and enliven the streetscape, while recessed panels and soldier courses add visual interest to street-facing elevations. White and pale pink GRC panels highlight residential entrances and key balconies, while dark rainscreen cladding is used for top-floor treatments, creating contrast and texture. Dark powder-coated metalwork enhances the depth of balcony balustrades, and powder-coated aluminium shopfronts seamlessly integrate with lower-ground storage and ventilation elements within the commercial spaces.