Willmott Dixon has been appointed to deliver The Stage, a landmark £136 million mixed-use regeneration project that will transform the heart of Luton town centre.
Secured via the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), this flagship development forms a central part of the Luton Town Centre Masterplan and is supported by £20 million from the Government's Local Regeneration Fund (formerly the Levelling Up Fund).
The project underlines Willmott Dixon's track record in delivering high-profile urban regeneration schemes that combine residential, commercial, and public realm transformation.
Situated on the former Bute Street Shoppers car park, The Stage will create a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring 292 high-quality apartments, including 84 affordable rental homes. The development will also deliver commercial units to stimulate local economic activity, a multi-purpose venue with curated food and beverage offerings, and a new public garden square that enhances community connectivity and green space in the town centre.
Sustainability and long-term impact are central to the project's design, featuring energy-efficient building systems with enhanced insulation and photovoltaic (PV) panels for on-site renewable energy generation. The development will also include landscaped environments designed with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and biodiverse green infrastructure.
The project represents a significant milestone for Luton's regeneration ambitions, strategically positioned near the rail station, bus interchange, and taxi rank – making it one of the most accessible areas to live, work and visit in the town.
Stewart Brundell, chief operating officer at Willmott Dixon’s construction business: "We are proud to be delivering this transformational project for Luton. The Stage represents exactly the type of comprehensive urban regeneration that can revitalise town centres and create lasting positive impact for communities. This development will provide high-quality homes, stimulate local economic activity, and create enhanced public spaces that will benefit residents, workers, and visitors for generations to come. Being appointed to deliver this flagship scheme reinforces our position as a leading contractor in complex town centre regeneration projects that require the integration of residential, commercial, and public realm elements."
Cllr James Taylor, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth at Luton Council, added: "We're at an exciting point in regenerating the town centre. This project will help transform the area into a vibrant space we can all be proud of. This is a crucial element of the Town Centre Masterplan and supports our mission to eradicate poverty in Luton. Improving this gateway to the town will help create a more positive first impression, making it more welcoming for visitors, workers, and families, with enhanced public spaces, air quality, and connectivity."
The appointment builds on Willmott Dixon's established track record in delivering complex town centre regeneration projects. Recent successes include the £48.8m Queen Mary University School of Business and Management redevelopment, the £30m Barnes Hospital regeneration programme, and the transformational Spindles Town Square redevelopment in Oldham - a 450,000 square foot mixed-use development featuring a new market, flexible offices, event space and heritage archive.
Willmott Dixon is working alongside partners Rider Levett Bucknall and WSP to deliver the project.
