Developments

Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter was the commercial centre of the town’s industrial boom in the second half of the 19th century, and the area features some beautiful Victorian buildings.

In the centre of the Historic Quarter is Middlesbrough’s Grade II-listed railway station.  Most visitors to the town will travel through the Historic Quarter at some point and the improvements we are planning will help positively influence people’s impression of our town.

Resurfacing work on Marton Road, 1902. Image courtesy of Teesside Archives
Resurfacing of Exchange Square in 1987. Image courtesy of Teesside Archives
Meldrum workers on site during the developments work in Exchange Square 2022. Photo Credit Matthew Ward
Developments of Exchange Square, Middlesbrough
Grade II Listed Henry Bolckow Statue, a founder of the town of Middlesbrough.

Alongside the HSHAZ cultural and community programme, a package of physical interventions include:

  • Property improvement grants to help repair historic buildings, securing their long-term futures and bringing them back into full use.
  • Upgrading Exchange Square’s paving, landscaping, lighting, street furniture, cleaning the Grade II-listed Henry Bolckow statue and making the space more accessible.  These improvements will complete in June 2022.
  • Improving Zetland Road, to complement the £34m investment in the railway station.  The public will be asked to help shape Zetland Road’s redevelopment so please watch this space!  The improvements will be delivered in 2023/24.
Exchange Square in November 2020, prior to the development works.
Exchange Square from above, revitalised and rejuvenated through the development and restorative works.

By restoring buildings, improving public areas and involving local people in the HSHAZ project, we will ensure this key part of Middlesbrough’s history can survive – and thrive – well into the future.