Midsummer Boulevard East – The Shopping Building

Introduction

The Milton Keynes Shopping Building, aka ‘the City’ to locals and now centre:mk, is a bold architectural statement, designed by Development Corporation architects Derek Walker, Stuart Mosscrop and Christopher Woodward, who envisioned it as a modern, pedestrian-friendly space within the city.

At the time of its completion, it was one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, 1,200 metres long and built with a vision of a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, featuring glass, steel, and travertine finishes. It aimed to combine commercial and civic uses, emphasizing pedestrian access and a clutter-free environment.  This lengthy expanse is a defining feature of the building, which incorporates vast, airy spaces designed for easy pedestrian access.

Move with the times

Over the years, the structure has undergone changes, including a significant expansion in 1993 with a Marks & Spencer store expanded over the City Square.

Despite these modifications, the building retains its modernist flair, and its architectural significance led to it being listed as a Grade II structure in 2010 by Historic England, following a campaign led by MK Forum.

Several key architectural spaces and integrated public art elements are of particular design note.

Queen’s Court, named after and opened by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1979 is an open, central space that offers a spacious and welcoming environment for shoppers. MKDC’s original proposal to name it “Royal Court” was rejected by Buckingham Palace.

Middleton Hall serves as a large, open atrium inside the building, designed as a social and retail gathering point. 1,800m2, it delivers regular large events, exhibitions, trade fairs and of course the annual Christmas Show, complete with Helter Skelter, Train and Santa’s grotto.

Both Queen’s Court and Middleton Hall are notable spaces within the centre:mk, part of the shopping centre’s key layout, with Queen’s Court providing a central outdoor space, and Middleton Hall offering a significant indoor venue for activities.

Public art

Public Art is synonymous with Milton Keynes and the Shopping Building is no exception with eight sculptures positioned in and around the building.  Of note are the three Philomena Davis sculptures in Silbury Arcade, Vox Pop by John Clinch in Queens Court, now believed to be the first multi racial piece cast in the UK, Circle of Light by Liliane Lijn, created in 1980 and The Clock next to Milyon Keynes Market, carrying on a new town tradition started by the first new town of Stevenage in 1946 of significant timepieces within the central square.

Looking in more detail, the tiled walls either side of the John Lewis are also significant, both as architectural features and as works of public art. Designed by Robin and Lucienne Day, these tiles in muted dark colours spell out the words ‘John Lewis’, likely to be missed by the untrained eye.

Bringing the outside in

The planting was designed to be as much part of the architectural narrative as the building itself.

The palm trees in centre:mk were part of the original vision when the centre opened in 1979. These tropical touches were incorporated into the design to bring a warmer, more inviting atmosphere to the city centre’s modern, steel-and-glass aesthetic.

The palm trees, among other plantings, were part of a wider effort to soften the harshness of the concrete and glass environment, helping to create a more pleasant and visually stimulating space for shoppers and visitors.

The landscaping, including the palm trees, was integral to the design’s approach of merging architecture with greenery. The design sought to create an environment that blended elements of the natural world with the futuristic style of Milton Keynes’ city centre. This emphasis on planting has remained a distinctive feature of the space, contributing to the Shopping Building’s character and the city’s identity as a green, tree-filled town .

Despite some later modifications, these spaces still reflect the original goals of the Milton Keynes development – combining civic and retail uses with a design that encourages openness and integration of art into everyday life. The public art pieces, along with functional spaces like Queen’s Court and Middleton Hall, have helped maintain centre:mk as a cultural landmark in Milton Keynes, fostering a balance of art, commerce, and community.

The door issue

Originally, the lack of doors on the Shopping Building was because it was designed to be MK’s High Street and therefore that people should be able to wander around it at any time of the day and night.

However, within a short space of time, it became clear that this approach presented practical challenges.

The lack of doors meant that the building was often subject to the elements, such as wind and rain, which created uncomfortable conditions for shoppers, and staff, especially during colder months. Additionally, security concerns and the need for climate control led to the installation of doors and other measures to make the space more comfortable and practical for both visitors and retailers.

Have you spotted the coloured plaques?

Throughout the shopping building you can spot 40 plaques giving information and historical facts about the building and it’s uses. How many can you find?

Did you know?

The Shopping Building was opened by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on 25 September 1979.  Newly voted in, the Development Corporation needed to get her on their side, to continue supporting the funding of the new city by the National Government.

Her visit and car route through the city was painstakingly designed to showcase Milton Keynes as a place of business, innovation and of the future, and not just as a social housing utopia.  This ‘rebalancing’ of the focus was successful, and the funding continued, including the acceleration for provision for MK Hospital.  Margaret Thatcher’s other MK claim to fame is she is immortalised alongside Arthur Scargill in Boyd and Evans seminal ‘Fiction, Non-Fiction and Reference’ work displayed in the Central Library.