The centre of Leicester’s city centre has been transformed in recent years. The driving force has been the coming of John Lewis. The city council committed to improving its city centre streets and spaces to upgrade the city. At the same time the cultural quarter was being created. Rafaels Vinoly’s award winning Curve Theatre is the centre piece of this area. It is here that arts projects are clustered. There is an enterprise centre for arts business; the LCB depot, a cinema and more arts workshops; Phoenix Square and a whole series of art installations including work by Jason Bruges.
A public realm strategy was put together which set a framework for all the later developments. The works are constructed from granite which has been rigidly laid. Landscape architects who have worked on city centre projects include; Burns and Nice, Rumney and Associates, FPCR, Gillespies amongst others.The city councils contributed in excess of £19m. This has complemented work by Westfield Developments. In the new Highcross shopping area there are well designed new buildings, more public art and a high quality landscape scheme.
