Maple have helped transform a Nottingham car park into an important city landmark.
The new Broadmarsh multi-storey is a far cry from the one it replaced - once described as one of the ugliest buildings in the city.
Aluminium and Equitone rainscreen cladding panels, cast glass panels, terracotta tiles and vertical aluminium fins give the building (which also houses a new bus station) a bright and contemporary look. In fact, locals believe the 1,200-space car park has more in common with the new Nottingham College building nearby than a traditional multi-storey.
City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “It’s a key part of the rejuvenation of the city’s Southside, and is already making a dramatic difference to the look and feel of this part of the city centre.
“I think it looks fantastic and complements the new college while being sympathetic to the heritage buildings on Carrington Street, which have undergone some wonderful improvements of their own.
“I’m sure that as people return to the city in greater numbers they will be impressed with the new car park and the other improvements in the area.”
Building a car park that doesn’t look like a car park was made possible by Maple’s ability to translate architectural visions into ‘buildable’ reality. We worked closely with Leonard Design Architects, Stephen George and Partners and contractors Galliford Try from pre-construction to completion.
This close collaboration achieved manufacturing and installation efficiencies at a time when the Covid pandemic created labour and material supply challenges.
“There were a few challenges, which Maple addressed really well – ten out of ten for communication,” said Galliford Try’s site manager, Tom Wright. “When you look at the finished product, it’s all been worthwhile. The mix of feature fins, laser-cut panels and terracotta tiles looks great – very close to the architect’s impression.”