Hammerson has submitted detailed designs for phase one of its Watermark WestQuay scheme to Southampton City Council.
The first phase comprises a landmark 10 screen cinema and up to 20 restaurants alongside a major high quality public piazza. The detailed application focuses on the architectural detail, landscaping design and materials proposed within the development.
The scheme received overwhelming support for its outline planning application in 2013*, which established the scheme’s main design principles including land use and layout.
This application has been the subject of substantial pre-application discussions with senior officers at the council, key stakeholders and local community groups who have provided extensive and positive feedback.
To accommodate the site's challenging seven metre difference in levels, the scheme will include upper and lower promenades which will be lined with restaurants, with the leisure and cinema building above.
The design of the cinema building has been inspired by cinematic film with undulating metal ribbons encasing the building which will reflect the natural light conditions during the day and will be lit by night.
The delivery of phase one will also create extensive public realm for the city, creating a key connection to the historic old town and providing a gateway to another of the city’s strategic developments, the Royal Pier Waterfront development.
The design of the public square has been inspired by water pools created by mudflats on the Southampton coastline. It includes a water feature that ebbs and flows like the tide and gradually recedes to capture pools of water that reflect the historic wall before disappearing again. The flexibility of this feature will allow events to also take place in the piazza during the year such as open air cinemas and concerts.
Guy Wells, Hammerson Development Manager said: "We have been very pleased with the positive feedback we have received so far which has informed these designs. The team have worked hard with stakeholders over the past nine months to create a scheme which is unique to Southampton and celebrates the city's historic walls and its maritime location."
The master plan for Watermark WestQuay will be delivered in two phases. The second phase includes a hotel, a residential tower with flexibility for retail and office space.
ACME delivered the detailed designs and its team was also responsible for Hammerson's shopping centre scheme, Highcross in Leicester, which has won numerous awards for its architecture. Barton Willmore provided planning advice.
For further information on the detailed designs go to www.watermark-WestQuay.com
10 April 2014