CPW supports Willmott Dixon in major £136m regeneration of Luton town centre

CPW are proud to be supporting the next major chapter in Luton’s regeneration journey, working in collaboration with Willmott Dixon, Rider Levett Bucknall and WSP to help deliver The Stage, a £136 million mixed-use development that will reshape the town centre and unlock wide-reaching economic and community benefits.

The flagship scheme, located on the former Bute Street Shoppers car park, forms a key part of the Luton Town Centre Masterplan and has been backed by £20 million from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund. Designed as a vibrant and accessible new neighbourhood, The Stage will blend residential, commercial, leisure and public realm spaces, creating a new focal point at one of the most prominent gateway sites in the town.

A significant milestone for the project has now been achieved, with Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator secured under the new Building Safety Act. As a high-rise scheme, this represents a key step forward and reflects the collaborative effort across the project team to meet the enhanced requirements of the new regulatory framework.

The development will deliver 292 high-quality apartments, including 84 affordable homes designed to meet local demand. These homes will sit alongside a carefully curated mix of ground-floor commercial units intended to stimulate local business growth and diversify the town centre’s offering. A multi-purpose venue will host food, drink and cultural events, while a new public garden will provide much-needed green space, connecting people and the surrounding communities.

With public transport services just a short walk away, the scheme makes strategic use of an exceptionally well-connected location. By encouraging active travel and reducing reliance on cars, The Stage will support more sustainable patterns of movement throughout the town centre.

Sustainability and long-term resilience have been central to the project’s design from the outset. CPW is providing MEP design and delivery that will help ensure the development is energy-efficient, future-proofed and built around environmentally responsible systems.

The scheme incorporates enhanced thermal performance, upgraded insulation and high-quality building fabric to reduce operational energy demand. Photovoltaic panels will deliver on-site renewable generation, supporting Luton's wider sustainability ambitions. A series of landscaped public spaces will integrate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and biodiverse planting, designed to improve water management, enhance ecological value and create a more vibrant and welcoming town centre.

Speaking about CPW’s involvement, Associate, Marcos Gonzalez Riadigos shared:

“Supporting the delivery of The Stage is an exciting opportunity to help shape a development that will have a meaningful impact on Luton’s future. Our focus has been on designing MEP systems that not only meet the needs of a modern mixed-use environment, but also contribute to a more sustainable and people-centred town centre. Working alongside Willmott Dixon and the wider project team, we’re committed to delivering engineering solutions that bring long-term value to the local community and strengthen the foundations for continued regeneration.”

The Stage represents one of the most significant investments in Luton for decades, set to boost footfall, attract new businesses and enhance the experience of living and working in Luton town centre. The project is expected to generate economic activity both during construction and long after completion, supporting the government’s wider ambition to revitalise high streets and urban centres across the country.

For CPW, this is another step-forward in commercial and mixed-use refurbishment work. Currently, the company is working on the transformation of Mell Square in Solihull, contributing MEP expertise to another flagship project in the heart of a thriving town centre. Together, these projects reflect CPW’s continued commitment to shaping people-focused urban environments that support community growth and the local economy.

Construction on The Stage is predicted to begin sometime next year, following gateway approval from the Building Safety Regulator – once complete, the development will serve as a benchmark for modern urban regeneration.

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