Orbit is one of the UK's leading housing providers, owning and managing a growing portfolio of more than 43,000 homes. They offer a full range of high-quality properties to suit every stage of life with flexible ways for customers to rent and buy - Orbit's vision is to be the leader in building thriving communities.
https://www.orbithomes.org.uk/arden-quarter (opens new window)
Arden Quarter A new development in Stratford-Upon-Avon
The historic Arden Quarter began when Orbit purchased the site of Stratford-upon-Avon's old Cattle Market (neighbouring the railway station and having stood more or less redundant since 2001 when the market closed) in 2015, with the clear vision of creating a vibrant and inclusive new community.
Transforming retirement living in historic Stratford-upon-Avon, from Orbit
Stratford-upon-Avon has been named as one of the top 10 best places to retire by The Times.
The marketing suite officially opened in August 2018, the stunning new £40m development offers a collection of 189 new homes, and features a range of stylish housing for first-time buyers and the over-55s, including 58 general needs apartments and 102 extra care apartments. Apartments are available to rent or buy.
Designing with ageing in mind and intergenerational living
Designed by award winning architects PRP, the extra care accommodation is located in a prime position along the southern edge of the overall site. The southern fa¸ade presents a series of striking gable forms along Alcester Road giving the new development a strong architectural presence.
Retail and café spaces at the western end of the extra care spill onto the new pedestrian 'station square' opposite the existing station café and ticket hall.
The eastern edge ends as a bold four storey block overlooking the main vehicular entrance to the overall site and new pedestrian pocket park and community play space.
A beautifully planted pedestrian link along the southern boundary provides a new and charming experience on arrival and departure for some of the five million visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon each year.
The entrance to the extra care apartments is located on the northern side, with private parking and drop-off areas situated separately from the main station taxi-rank and drop-off. Other housing options for families, single people and couples have been designed adjacent to and surrounding the extra care, and occupy some 60% of the rest of the site. This mix of housing options in close proximity to existing facilities, such as the main hospital, medical centre, shops and restaurants, make this development a truly intergenerational community.
Once inside the extra care apartments, the design allows the private communal spaces on the ground floor to be used by the wider community albeit in a carefully managed way. Secure private gardens and roof terraces with stunning views to the Welcombe Hills, offers extra care residents a choice of high quality outdoor spaces.
The designs take direct reference from Stratford-upon-Avon's beautiful blackened half-timbered gables, eclectic street composition and previous buildings on the site, celebrating its location in this world famous historic market town.
The site arrangement ensures optimal orientation for both dwellings and external amenity spaces, working harmoniously with the existing topography. The scheme will become an important architectural landmark; knitting into the historic fabric of Stratford-upon-Avon, creating a wonderful new presence along Alcester Road and within Station Square.
“Our vision for Arden Quarter is to offer a range of high-quality new homes in a great central location, which will meet the housing needs and aspirations of local people and create a community that they are proud to live in.”
Orbit is proud to sponsor the Housing LIN's funding extra care housing pages.
For more Orbit resources on the Housing LIN website check out the following case studies:
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Converting to HAPPI at St. Bede's, Bedford
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Independent Living with Care: Giving greater choice as you like it