Designed by Carey Jones Chapmantolcher, the first phase of the £140m Merchant Gate development is located in the heart of Wakefield’s historic Civic Quarter and has created a vibrant new centre for business, leisure and living.  Five high specification buildings and a multi-storey car park feature more than 2,600sqm of GEODE MX curtain walling, fabricated and installed by Dortech Architectural Systems.

The GEODE MX 52 Curtain Walling was specified as bands of curtain walling for the upper floors of buildings E and F. This ribbon effect is broken up with the introduction of glazed spandrel panels in shades of green, yellow and blue. In other areas, panels of glazing were set into resin concrete tiles and contrasting natural timber-faced laminate cladding panels. 

This curtain walling was faceted to two corner elevations, and also encloses the full height stair cores for the commercial and residential elements and the car park. 

Finished in a dark anthracite grey, the curtain walling carries a variety of glass specifications to meet the solar and acoustic control requirements according to the orientation of each elevation. Top-hung concealed vents provide natural ventilation throughout. 

The 17-acre Merchant Gate development is seen as one of the most important regeneration projects in the North of England. Phase One created a lively and prosperous new quarter through a combination of mixed-use buildings, delivering one and two bedroom apartments, 89,000 sqft of commercial and leisure space, a 1,450 space multi-storey car park and a large public square.