Delivering what you have re-imagined for your community

Our team was commissioned as part of Kent County Council alongside a number of other key organisations including Thanet District Council, and the Homes & Communities Agency.

The aim was to transform some poorly maintained Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMO) properties to quality family homes. Targeting problem buildings that were derelict and unoccupied for years.

Our project, which formed part of a £23.1 million long-term programme, was to buy four existing properties and turn them into quality family homes. Helping to make Cliftonville West and Margate Central a place where more people aspire to live - demonstrating what can be achieved.

Objectives

• To convert poorly maintained low-cost rented accommodation into quality family homes
• To improve community cohesion by reducing neighborhood population density

We provided project management from inception to completion on specific properties; advising on feasibility, acquiring properties, appointing architects and contractors.

Demonstrating how to deliver projects on time with innovative solutions including a multi-generational home occupying four floors.

It is great to see more quality, affordable housing being delivered in Margate.

Converting neglected properties into quality family accommodation

The importance of a few concentrated high-profile public-sector investments have kick-started a particular form of regeneration, thus bolstering confidence in the town’s future.

Kent County Council (KCC) was involved in the project through its No Use Empty campaign. 

The primary aim of the Initiative is to improve the physical urban environment in Kent by bringing empty properties back into use as quality housing accommodation and to raise awareness of the issues surrounding empty properties highlighting the problems they cause to local communities.

Mark Dance, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Kent County Council, said:

“Thanet is changing rapidly and is becoming a vibrant and creative area where a younger demographic wish to live and to work.

"A lot of our work to return empty homes though our No Use Empty initiative has been concentrated in Thanet; by providing loans to owner occupiers to aid refurbishment works we not only create new homes to help meet rising demand, we also help accelerate the regeneration process, as empty homes can blight can area, attract crime, and deter investment.”

Our team helped to create one of the largest and most important new spaces for art outside London.

Objectives

• Create a gallery to commemorate the artist JMW Turner’s association with Margate to be built on the site of the guest house where he used to stay
• Deliver a building with architectural merit that is fit for purpose for the showcasing of contemporary and historical art
• Generate a sense of local pride by providing a high profile, quality gallery and a building of national and international significance

Turner Contemporary is a landmark in our work to regenerate and revitalise Margate. The project has been a great example of collaboration and we hope it will demonstrate how the arts and culture can stimulate regeneration.

Gen2 delivered a gallery that is acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of Margate

This spectacular, purpose-built gallery celebrates Margate’s association with the English painter JMW Turner and is constructed on the site of his favourite guesthouse. It was also conceived as a catalyst for the longer-term regeneration of Margate, establishing the town as a visitor destination in Kent and the South of England.

Working as project manager for Kent County Council and its partners, we managed the appointment of the design team David Chipperfield architects and a large number of specialist consultants.

The finished building has a strong sculptural presence on the site. Raised on a plinth to protect against flooding, it is formed by six identical volumes with mono-pitched roofs that provide north light into all the upper level galleries. Visitors enjoy panoramic views out to sea as well as the opportunity to view the town and the bay from the cafe and entrance area.

Turner Contemporary is already making a contribution to the improvement of the local economy through visitor numbers which have far exceeded targets. It’s also an excellent demonstration of the Council’s commitment to cultural development in Kent.

We are helping to realise an exciting new mixed-use development in the heart of Maidstone.

• To deliver a new vision for a public sector quarter for Maidstone.
• To coordinate diverse stakeholder groups to show how public sector bodies can work together.

Gen² is supporting two local authorities to unlock the potential transformation of an area

Gen² is helping local authorities create a new vision for a major Town centre.

Gen² is helping two leading local authorities to develop a 3.5 acre urban site into a role model scheme for the co-location of multiple public sector tenants.

We’re representing Kent County Council, creating the area’s masterplan and delivering the local authorities’ long-term objective to create “a comprehensive and high quality mixed use development including retail space, homes, offices, increased parking and an improved interchange between buses, trains and taxis.”

The scheme’s development is based on consultations led by Gen² between Network Rail, South Eastern, central Government, local businesses and the local community.