View looking up at large multi-storey building
© Andrew Hepinstall

BDA Entry

Boho X

Boho X is a landmark within the Boho masterplan, envisioned as a central anchor for innovation and digital transformation in Middlesbrough.

The challenge for this 60,000 square foot development was to create a high-quality, adaptable office space that met the client’s vision for flexibility, while also contributing to the aesthetic and cultural revitalization of the Boho Zone. In a market defined by rapid technological shifts and demands for adaptable office environments, Boho X needed to offer not only premier office space but also the infrastructure to support a diverse range of occupants, from single tenants to multiple digital and creative enterprises.

The vision extended beyond just office space; Boho X was to provide an architectural focal point for the area, one that reflected the ambition and modernity of the Boho Zone while respecting the urban fabric of Middlesbrough. This dual challenge of architectural distinction and operational flexibility required meticulous planning, advanced design, and a refined material palette that would resonate with the building’s intended role as a beacon of innovation.

Boho X’s design leverages a central atrium that serves as both a dramatic entryway and a flexible organizational core around which the office spaces are oriented. This layout promotes an adaptable environment, allowing for easy reconfiguration to meet the demands of single or multiple tenants. Floor plates were crafted with flexibility in mind, enabling subdivision while maximizing the lettable area—a key factor in attracting a diverse mix of occupants.

The building’s design also places emphasis on health, well-being, and a high standard of workplace amenities. In addition to state-of-the-art office spaces, Boho X offers a gym, a studio, a lecture theatre, and a rooftop bar with an adjoining terrace, which create a holistic environment that encourages work-life balance. The ground-floor café and co-working area spill into an urban orchard, blending indoor and outdoor spaces and enhancing the sense of community.

The exterior material palette and facade composition of Boho X are central to its visual impact. A clear material distinction between the lower and upper blocks is achieved using grey and buff brick, respectively, which provides a subtle yet striking elevation that echoes the varying heights of the surrounding urban landscape. This is further enriched by intricate brick detailing, including projecting headers, splayed bays, and piers that enhance visual continuity around the building’s exterior, offering both a modern aesthetic and a sense of connection to the surrounding architectural context.

Boho X successfully achieved the client’s brief for a flexible, high-quality office space that anchors the Boho Zone masterplan. Its rigorous internal layout—painstakingly coordinated among architectural, structural, and service teams—ensures simplicity and efficiency, creating open-plan offices with abundant natural light. This attention to design detail facilitated the letting of the entire building to a single occupant even before practical completion, demonstrating its appeal and functional excellence.

Boho X is now widely recognized as a market leader in Middlesbrough, setting new benchmarks for modern office spaces in the UK’s regional cities. Its successful integration of flexible office design with a commitment to occupant well-being positions it as a transformative addition to the Boho Zone, redefining the possibilities for urban office spaces in Middlesbrough and beyond.

Project Information

  • Client | Middlesborough Council
  • Architects | jmarchitects
  • Photos | Andrew Heptinstall
  • Products used | Corn Yellow & Thorn Grijs Gesintered
Detail brickwork on the side of a large office building

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