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 made as part of the HSHAZ will help positively influence people’s impression of our town.
The square has new paving, lighting, planting and seating. The Grade II listed Henry Bolckow statue and keystone heads from the former Royal Exchange have been cleaned and conserved and a new ramp has made the space accessible.
The aim was for the community to agree the public realm is more inviting, has an identity and complements the area. When surveyed before the works people were either neutral or disagreed with the statement “Exchange Square creates a good first impression of Middlesbrough”. Following the works the majority agreed (75%), followed by strongly agreed (25%).
Images above show the development of this area with key changes in 1902, 1987 and 2022.
Exchange Square’s planters have been used to tell the story of the HSHAZ programme. The planters now feature comments from those involved in the programme including local school children, historians, artists, property owners and businesses in the Historic Quarter. These sit alongside some of Aphra O’Connor’s design development work, which culminated in the borders showcased on the new Zetland Road crossings.
Images above – Completed HSHAZ development works in Exchange Square, April 2024.
Images above – HSHAZ Development works in Exchange Square 2023.
Image above – Exchange Square in November 2020, prior to the HSHAZ development works.
