Luton Central Library
Luton, Bedfordshire
Feasibility study to transform Luton Central Library into a mixed-use community hub with active frontages, aligned to town centre programme.
Luton, Bedfordshire
Luton Multi-Modal Hub
Luton Borough Council
Built in the 1970s, the car park in Luton town centre was a significant multi-story car park, holding 700 spaces, but closed in December 2008 due to safety concerns and was left empty for two years before being demolished in 2010. Its closure has had a considerable impact on parking availability in Luton.
Central to the council’s masterplan is the need to ‘restitch’ the town centre to open up key connections, with one route across the Library Road Car Park site being identified as integral to this objective. Enhancing this connection will join the train station and Hat District cultural quarter with Luton’s civic square, St George’s Square and Luton Town Hall and make it easier for people to visit the popular Galaxy leisure destination.
McBains was appointed to identify development options for the land to open up this crucial connection, add much-needed multi-modal parking provision, facilitate sustainable travel and enhance the public realm.
Services
Our multi-disciplinary team has explored options at RIBA Stage 1 that consider above and below ground car parking possibilities, cycle hubs, EV charging stations, public realm provision, a children’s play area and commercial / retail spaces.
Four strategic approaches were considered; with three being developed into concept designs showing the massing, townscape sections, artistic visuals & accommodation schedules, along with high level costings, delivering between 250 and 285 parking bays, EV/cycle hubs and new public realm.
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