Urban regeneration is about turning underused, disconnected, or declining places into thriving, resilient environments. Where land has been shaped by past industry, neglect, or changing economies, regeneration creates opportunity, unlocking long-term value for communities, investors and cities alike.
Urban regeneration is the process of reversing physical, economic and social decline to create places that are viable, connected and sustainable for the future. These projects are inherently complex, often involving fragmented land ownership, contaminated sites, ageing or inadequate infrastructure and the need to integrate new development with existing communities and historic assets.
Projects may be more complex, with longer investment horizons, but the long-term impact - in social value, economic growth and place-making - can be transformative.
McBains supports regeneration and urban development projects from early vision through to delivery, working with public bodies, funders, developers and communities. Our teams help shape strategies, unlock funding, resolve technical and commercial challenges and guide projects through uncertainty to create places that are commercially viable, socially inclusive and built to endure.
Regeneration succeeds when every layer of complexity is understood and addressed. Our integrated approach supports confident decision-making across the full lifecycle of urban development projects.
Harlow, Essex
A coordinated programme to re establish the civic heart of Harlow with high quality public realm, sustainable transport and a renewed cultural offer.
Services
Architecture, Project Management, Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering
Sectors
Regeneration & Urban Development, Civic & Government, Transport & Infrastructure, Hotel & Leisure, Retail, Residential, Office & Commercial
Southwark, Central London
Mixed use development, across three towers up to 27 storeys high, within the Elephant & Castle regeneration zone.
Services
Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Project Management, Sustainability & ESG, Architecture
Sectors
Residential, Hotel & Leisure, Retail
Southbank, Central London
Two commercial buildings within the Southbank Place regeneration scheme.
Services
Project Monitoring & Due Diligence
Sectors
Residential, Retail, Office & Commercial
Harlow, Essex
The major regeneration of Harlow bus station and Terminus Street area to transform a run-down part of the town into a vibrant & welcoming gateway.
Services
Architecture, Project Management, Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Clerk of Works / NEC Supervisor
Sectors
Transport & Infrastructure, Regeneration & Urban Development, Civic & Government
Paddington, Central London
A major, mixed-use scheme providing a mix of commercial and retail space, together with substantial public realm and station improvements.
Services
Project Monitoring & Due Diligence
Sectors
Hotel & Leisure, Retail, Office & Commercial, Transport & Infrastructure
Harlow, Essex
Development of a vacant plot of land into residential to deliver a ‘later living’ development of six one-storey bungalows.
Services
Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Project Management, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture
Sectors
Residential
Harlow, Essex
Regeneration of an existing retail unit and adjacent garage site and forecourt to provide brand new council homes and new retail units.
Services
Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Project Management, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture
Sectors
Residential
Harlow, Essex
Ten new homes, comprising 5 new townhouses, 5 new apartments, private gardens, landscaping and associated parking, on a derelict site in Harlow.
Services
Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Project Management, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture
Sectors
Residential
Harlow, Essex
Regeneration scheme to create new western gate-way to Harlow town centre with new arts facilities, residential homes & enhanced public realm.
Services
Architecture, Civil & Structural Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Sustainability & ESG, Cost Management, Project Management, Health & Safety, Clerk of Works / NEC Supervisor
Sectors
Civic & Government, Residential, Hotel & Leisure, Regeneration & Urban Development
Battersea, Greater London
We provided project monitoring services to a consortium of funders for Phases 1, 2 and 3 of works on the iconic, Grade II* listed Power Station.
Services
Project Monitoring & Due Diligence
Sectors
Residential, Hotel & Leisure, Office & Commercial, Regeneration & Urban Development, Retail
Camden, Central London
Multi-phase regeneration scheme comprising the upgrade of seven blocks of residential accommodation.
Services
Project Management, Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture, Building Surveying, Employer's Agent, Health & Safety
Sectors
Residential, Civic & Government, Retrofit
Hounslow, Greater London
Urban mixed-use regeneration scheme to transform an underutilised town centre building and provide a mixed retail and PBSL offering.
Services
Architecture
Sectors
Residential, Retail, Regeneration & Urban Development
Kings Cross, Central London
A mixed-use project converting the buildings that make up ‘Coal Drops Yard’ within Kings Cross Central.
Services
Project Monitoring & Due Diligence
Sectors
Regeneration & Urban Development, Hotel & Leisure, Retail
Harlow, Essex
A public realm improvement scheme to transform a pedestrianised square in Harlow town centre, to create a new hub for leisure and hospitality.
Services
Architecture, Project Management, Cost Management, Building Surveying, Building Services Engineering, Health & Safety, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Clerk of Works / NEC Supervisor
Sectors
Regeneration & Urban Development, Civic & Government, Hotel & Leisure
Tamworth, Staffordshire
Replacement of the existing TORC and Tamworth College facilities with new teaching and learning accommodation in Tamworth town centre.
Services
Building Services Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering, Cost Management, Project Management, Sustainability & ESG
Sectors
Civic & Government, Education, Regeneration & Urban Development
Blackpool, Lancashire
A purpose-built office building for staff of the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) in the heart of Blackpool town centre.
Services
Project Management, Building Services Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture
Sectors
Office & Commercial, Civic & Government, Regeneration & Urban Development
Luton, Bedfordshire
Feasibility study for the redevelopment of land at the former Luton Library Road Car Park, aligned to the wider town centre programme.
Services
Architecture, Cost Management
Sectors
Civic & Government, Transport & Infrastructure
Harlow, Essex
A public realm improvement scheme to transform a pedestrian high street in Harlow, to create a safer, more welcoming town centre.
Services
Architecture, Project Management, Cost Management, Building Services Engineering, Health & Safety, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Clerk of Works / NEC Supervisor
Sectors
Regeneration & Urban Development, Retail, Civic & Government
We work with local and central government, developers, investors, landowners, funders and community stakeholders, partnering across the public and private sectors to deliver regeneration projects that balance social impact, commercial viability and long-term place value.
Harlow Council
/The Crown Estate
/London & Quadrant Housing Trust
“Harlow District Council have been working with McBains and Ares on the fast-paced Harlow Town Centre East Gate scheme, which required the design to be finalised and construction to have commenced within just 4 months. McBains and Ares provided a collaborative and professional design service, successfully achieving our ambitious programme dates and incorporating our key ambitions for the design. Their enthusiasm, flexibility and shared vision for the scheme made them ideal delivery partners for this challenging project and we continue to work with them on a number of regeneration schemes throughout the Town Centre.”
David Sellings, Town Centre Manager, Regeneration Team
Harlow Council
February 16, 2026
October 2, 2025
December 12, 2024
October 17, 2024
January 17, 2023
December 12, 2024
October 17, 2024
January 17, 2023
Regeneration is ultimately about people; the communities who live and work in these places, and the teams who bring them back to life. Our regeneration specialists combine technical expertise with commercial awareness, stakeholder sensitivity and a deep understanding of place. Working collaboratively with local authorities, developers, funders and communities, they navigate complexity, manage risk and solve problems that others avoid. From challenging brownfield sites to city-scale regeneration programmes, it's the judgment, commitment and perspective of our people that turns long-term ambition into real, lasting change.
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