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Great British Railways to Establish New Headquarters at Corstorphine & Wright-Designed Becketwell Development

By Paul Thrussell – 16th October 2026

Corstorphine & Wright is delighted to welcome the announcement that Great British Railways (GBR) will establish its new national headquarters at 3 Springwell Square, Derby, the next major phase of the transformational Becketwell regeneration project.

Designed for St James Securities, in partnership with Derby City Council, the landmark development will provide a new home for the organisation that will oversee the operation, maintenance and improvement of Britain’s rail network. The decision further reinforces Derby’s position as one of the UK’s most important railway cities and represents another significant milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the city centre.

The new headquarters will occupy a prominent island site overlooking Springwell Square and deliver approximately 9,921 sq m (106,785 sq ft) of Grade A office accommodation, alongside high-quality landscaped public realm and a range of supporting amenity spaces. The project completes this key section of the Becketwell masterplan, creating a vibrant new commercial destination at the heart of Derby.

The announcement marks the latest chapter in Corstorphine & Wright’s long-standing involvement in the £200 million Becketwell regeneration scheme, which the practice has been helping to shape since 2018. Working closely with St James Securities and Derby City Council, the practice developed the original masterplan and has subsequently led the design of several key phases, including The Condor, a 259-home build-to-rent development, and Vaillant Live, Derby’s new 3,500-capacity entertainment and events venue.

Architecturally, 3 Springwell Square has been carefully designed to respond to the character of its surroundings. The building’s curved frontage addresses Springwell Square, creating a strong civic presence and helping to define the expanded public space, while drawing inspiration from Derby’s historic street pattern. Along Macklin Street, the design adopts a more restrained architectural language, providing a sensitive transition to neighbouring residential areas.

“3 Springwell Square represents the next important chapter in our Becketwell masterplan, building on the new homes, public realm and leisure uses already successfully delivered. The opportunity to create a new headquarters for Great British Railways in the heart of Derby feels particularly fitting for both the city and the wider regeneration taking place.”

Marek Sroka

Associate Director

The arrival of Great British Railways is expected to bring significant investment, employment opportunities and long-term economic benefits to the city. As Derby continues to strengthen its reputation as a national centre for rail innovation and engineering, the decision to locate GBR’s headquarters at Becketwell represents a major vote of confidence in both the city and the regeneration vision that is reshaping its future.

For Corstorphine & Wright, the announcement is another important milestone in a project that is transforming a key area of Derby city centre into a thriving mixed-use destination for living, working and leisure.