Reading Borough Council agree deal with McLaren Living to bring forward key town centre site

The regeneration of Minster Quarter will provide in excess of 600 new homes, including affordable, new high quality public realm, work and retail space, a community hub and local jobs

3 November 2025 – Reading Borough Council has confirmed McLaren Living, the residential developer with a focus on Build-to-Rent and Co-Living, as the development partner for the regeneration of Minster Quarter, following the signing of the Development Agreement.

A key milestone in the transformation of this town centre site, the agreement will enable McLaren Living, partnering with Reading Borough Council, to drive forward and deliver the exciting new £250 million ‘Minster Quarter’ scheme, which will include:

• Over 600 new homes, 30% of which will be affordable homes, across a range of tenures
• 40,000 sq.ft of new commercial space including new workspace, retail, food and beverage, and a 102-bed hotel.
• New high-quality public spaces, including a new ‘Hexagon Square’ as a generous functional and attractive civic space, designed as a gateway to Reading’s iconic Hexagon Theatre and new Studio Theatre.
• The generation of a significant number of new local jobs post-construction and a brand-new community hub, providing a base from which to host a range of community activities

Reading’s Minster Quarter is a key and historic part of the town centre and represents a long-standing and major strategic regeneration ambition for Reading Borough Council.

The £250 million regeneration of the 5.2-acre site, in the heart of Reading and formerly occupied by the Civic Centre, will deliver a thriving mixed-use community, incorporating a positive street scene and places for people to shop, eat and enjoy Reading’s thriving arts and culture.

The plans include provision for the Charter Market on Hosier Street, and an improvement of its setting with new public realm leading to the landmark Reading Minster. Along with proposals for the revitalisation of Dusseldorf Way, creating a key new boulevard with further street trees and places to sit.

The development is central to the wider Minster Quarter Regeneration Area, including Broad Street Mall, which is also being delivered by McLaren Living, with a combined delivery of upwards of 1,200 homes in the heart of Reading town centre.

Cllr Liz Terry, Reading Borough Council Leader, said: “This important milestone marks a significant step forward in the regeneration of the Minster Quarter. The Minster Quarter Central project, being delivered by the Council in partnership with McLaren Living represents an unprecedented opportunity to deliver one of the best located mixed-use development opportunities in the UK, right in the heart of Reading town centre.

Our key aims throughout have been to secure urgently needed affordable housing for Reading, high quality public realm and a net zero development, in line with our wider net-zero ambitions. McLaren Living understand and share the Council’s vision for the site, with a strong commitment to social value and experience of working successfully in partnership to achieve outstanding quality development quality and with the potential to create a landmark destination.

The Council has secured this landmark £250 million investment in economic, environmental and community benefits for the local population. This Council’s ethos is to ensure everybody in Reading can benefit from the town’s undoubted success, and the Minster Quarter Central project is the perfect example of how that can be achieved.

“We look forward to working in partnership with McLaren Living to bring these exciting plans to fruition and deliver lasting benefits for Reading over the coming years.”

Matthew Biddle, Managing Director, McLaren Living, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Reading Borough Council to deliver much needed housing and breathe new life and vibrancy into the Minster Quarter, which will build upon our recent planning consent for the neighbouring Broad Street Mall. Our ambitions are to create a re-invigorated retail and residential destination within a mixed-use neighbourhood, providing improved public realm and accessibility to Reading’s cultural Hexagon Centre.

We look forward to continuing to work with our partners Reading Borough Council, stakeholders and the local community as we progress with our plans to deliver a new town centre quarter.”