Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter (stretching from Albert Road North to Queen’s Terrace) was the commercial centre of Middlesbrough’s manufacturing and trade boom in the second half of the 19th century. It is one of Middlesbrough’s oldest, primarily intact, urban areas, featuring high-quality Victorian buildings. The Historic Quarter was designated a Conservation Area in 1989.

The area is on the main route from Middlesbrough town centre to the railway station and thus forms many people’s first impressions of the town, yet many of the historic buildings and public spaces have suffered from a lack of investment, leading to the area appearing tired and run down.

Middlesbrough Council are working with Historic England to develop a High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) in the Historic Quarter. The HSHAZ works will include property improvement grants, public realm improvements and a range of community and cultural activities. As part of this development work we would like to engage with stakeholders, residents and businesses on our plans.

Two areas of public realm – Zetland Road (in front of the southern entrance to the station) and Exchange Square – have been earmarked for investment. Landscape Architects, Southern Green, were appointed by Middlesbrough Council to undertake concept designs to enhance both areas. Their brief was to:

  • enhance public realm environment
  • upgrade hard surfacing
  • make Zetland Road more pedestrian friendly
  • incorporate sustainable urban drainage throughout
  • improve the setting of the surrounding listed buildings
  • incorporate new high quality street furniture
  • improve functional and decorative street lighting throughout the area
  • introduce new trees

Existing and proposed images for both areas are shown below.

We would welcome any comments or queries on the concept designs by Friday 29 May. Please email any comments to: HAZ@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Your comments will inform the detailed design stage.

Zetland Road

Click the images to view them full size

Exchange Square

Click the images to view them full size