On a key town centre site that has lain vacant for nearly 20 years ColladoCollins were appointed by Retirement Villages Group to bring forward proposals for an Integrated Retirement Community that genuinely connects to the town and reactivates this strategic site. Where previous developers and schemes had failed due to the complexity of the site levels, presence of a Network Rail Tunnel running beneath the site, and the need to integrate viable town centre uses with large-scale residential development, we were able to navigate a complex planning process and intense local interest to propose a scheme that puts the community at the heart of the development with a new public space and 166 apartments spread across four blocks that address the unique constraints of each side of the site.

The architecture draws inspiration from the art deco cinema that formerly occupied the site, and the mid-century town hall which faces the building across. With retail frontage activating the street edges, and carefully selected materiality and detailing, this proposal will bring activity and variety to the site which has lain vacant for so long. Due to start on site in early 2024 we look forward to seeing this building emerging and bringing life back to the heart of Tunbridge Wells.