Stunning addition to Boho skyline nears completion in Middlesbrough

Work on the latest addition to Middlesbrough's cutting edge Boho campus is nearing completion.

Construction on Boho 8 got under way last year and is on target for completion this month.

The £2.5 million development - backed by Local Growth Fund funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority - is the latest element of the hugely successful Boho quarter, and is the first development within Middlesbrough's Digital City project.

And this week Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston was joined on site by main contractor M-AR Off Site and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to mark the major Middlesbrough regeneration milestone.

The state-of-the-art project has delivered 9,000 sq ft of high quality office accommodation for the digital and creative sector.

The creation of four self-contained bespoke modular units will act as a pressure valve for the hugely successfully Boho One, providing expanding digital companies with their own building and supporting the creation of additional jobs within the burgeoning sector.

The four one- to three-storey bespoke designed modular buildings range from 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft and have been delivered using the latest environmentally friendly construction methods.

The development to the rear of Boho One will be complemented by modern contemporary external communal space with a high street feel.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said:

"It's been amazing to see Boho 8 taking shape before our eyes, and it's yet another key step in driving Middlesbrough forward to become the UK's number one digital city.

"Fantastic things are happening here, and that momentum is only going to build as we emerge from the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by lockdown.

"Digital truly is the future for Middlesbrough, and this creative hotspot speaks volumes about the boundless aspiration and ambition we all have for Middlesbrough's future success and prosperity."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

"This is just the latest fantastic project we've helped to deliver across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool which is now almost at fruition and ready to open its doors.

"Middlesbrough is already home to cutting-edge creative and digital businesses working on the latest ground-breaking virtual reality technologies or developing blockbuster games.

"This new development will help those local businesses grow, and attract more like them to our region, making our digital and creative sector even more respected and diverse.

"Our tech, design and digital sectors are going from strength-to-strength and growing these industries is a key part of my plan for jobs, a plan that is creating skilled, good-quality, well-paid jobs.

"By investing in essential infrastructure where it's needed most, we can not only protect the jobs of today but drive forward the firms of tomorrow."

M-AR Project Manaer Darren Swales said:

"It's great to see all the client team, sub-contractors' and our own team's hard work paying off on this project, all of which have gone over and above to ensure the project meets the original intent.

"With only being at M-AR a couple of years this has by far been the most interesting project I have been involved with, from installing the modules on to the steel frame and ‘V' columns to creating a mini communal high street down the centre.

"This project really showcases the future of the Tees Valley area, and demonstrates what benefits a modular concept can bring to the construction industry."

Mark Chicken, Quantity Surveyor at Faithful+Gould, added:

"Modern methods of construction (MMC) has the potential to transform our industry - improving productivity as well as speed, cost and quality of delivery.

"Boho 8 proves that MMC not only provides these benefits, but can be used to create architecturally creative places where businesses and innovation can thrive.

"Our experts at Faithful+Gould brought their vast experience in MMC to help make this project a reality and we couldn't be more pleased with the result."