SUSTAINABLE community developer BioRegional Quintain has started construction of new homes at RiversideOne, a £200m development that will regenerate the Middlehaven Docks area of Middlesbrough.

The developer has also revealed that it is currently refreshing its striking marketing suite and will officially open its doors again to potential homebuyers at a sales launch weekend starting on Saturday, June 5.

Once complete RiversideOne will be the UK’s largest zero carbon development, comprise 750 homes and provide Middlesbrough with a vibrant new district in which people can live, work and relax.

The contractor appointed to undertake the construction of the first building – called CIAC (community in a cube) and containing 80 apartments – is Newcastle- based GB Building Solutions.

Pete Halsall, BioRegional Quintain’s managing director, said: “We are very pleased to be able to announce a start on site date for RiversideOne and our appointment of GB Building Solutions as CIAC’s builder.

“We are now in a position to make our vision of RiversideOne a reality. We can begin to create a new district that will ultimately provide the people of Middlesbrough with outstanding homes in a waterside location, a public events space, innovative leisure facilities and new commercial property.”

Construction of RiversideOne was initially delayed because of the global economic slowdown but the development will now go ahead due to improved financial conditions and support from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR).

With work starting in March, BioRegional Quintain anticipates that the first CIAC residents will be able to move into the building in the summer of 2011.

Built over eight storeys and comprising studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, CIAC has 12 apartment types, priced from £79,995 to £175,000, each named after a pioneering modern artist such as Rodin, Hepworth and Popova.

The building is made up of an area of open space at ground level containing a chalet building and a central south-facing courtyard which, above ground, splits the cube into two wings. CIAC’s design also incorporates a pub overlooking the dock basin.

The building’s location provides all residents with waterside living, while many of those who purchase apartments on the top two floors will have stunning views of both the hills surrounding Middlesbrough and Temenos, the first installation of sculptor Anish Kapoor’s Tees Valley Giants. This will be the world’s largest public art initiative, costing £2.7m, and will be an awe-inspiring 110m in length and almost 50m high.

Potential homebuyers wishing to find out more about the development will be able to visit the marketing suite at RiversideOne following its re-opening on June 5 to view a show apartment and largescale model of CIAC.

The model lights up individual apartments at the touch of a keypad to allow people to see exactly where the apartment they wish to buy is located.

Pete Halsall continued: “The refreshed marketing suite will look superb and the show apartment, which is located within the marketing suite, is indicative of the great design quality that will run throughout CIAC.

“The apartments at RiversideOne will be the same specification as those we have built at our very successful One Brighton development, which is now over 75% sold.

Richard Buckley, Tees Valley Regen- LOOKING GOOD: Artist’s impressions of the new development eration’s director of development, said: “RiversideOne will be an excellent addition to the Middlehaven development.

“The residential development will complement Middlesbrough College, Terrace Hill’s Manhattan Gate project and Temenos, all of which are helping put the site, the town and the wider Tees Valley on the national and international map.”

Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the HCA, said: “Our investment in reclaiming and preparing the site has made it possible to bring jobs and learning to Middlehaven. Bringing the first new homes to the site is another big step forward for Middlesbrough.”

Ray Mallon, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: “Middlehaven is central to the town’s ongoing growth and regeneration, so I’m delighted that work is getting under way on the first of these stunning apartment blocks.”