Southampton City Council has unanimously voted to grant planning permission for a £70 million leisure development, to be known as Watermark West Quay. Spearheaded by Hammerson, the new development will see a landmark 10 screen cinema and space for up to 20 restaurants created on the Southampton coastline, along with a new public piazza designed to attract visitors to the area well into the evening.
As the development will be situated by the coast, just in front of the city’s historic wall, the design of the piazza will incorporate water features inspired by the water pools created by the coastal mudflats. One of the key features will be a unique body of water which ebbs and flows in a manner reminiscent of tidal patterns, with lit fountains adding a modern twist and enhancing the development’s design.
The piazza will be overlooked by upper and lower promenades lined with restaurants and cafes which will form the hospitality aspect of the development. Above these will be the cinema and leisure space, which will provide an excellent view over the piazza when it is used for open air events.
Southampton City Council leader, Councillor Simon Letts, spoke of his excitement at the upcoming commencement of work on the site.
He said; “I am pleased that my fellow councillors have approved the application for this flagship City Centre Master Plan VIP project: the plans for the site are expansive, imaginative and inspiring.
“Watermark West Quay will add a fantastic dynamic to Southampton both visually and as a leisure hub within our city centre, providing a vast array of new dining and leisure experiences, as well as up to 500 jobs.
“I look forward to seeing work start on site later this year and frequenting the facilities in 2016!”
Although the initial phase of Watermark West Quay, which incorporates the leisure and piazza facilities, is due to be completed by autumn 2016, the second phase will push the overall completion date to 2018. This second phase has not yet been finalised, but has the potential to include a hotel and a residential tower with space on the lower floors for both office and retail units.
Hammerson certainly stands to benefit from the development, as Watermark West Quay lies immediately adjacent to the firm’s jointly owned existing retail complex, West Quay Shopping Centre (pictured).
Development Manager at Hammerson, Guy Wells, says; “This site offers a unique opportunity to deliver an exceptional leisure and dining destination for Southampton.
“We have been encouraged with the level of support we have received on the scheme from stakeholders and we have worked hard with the council to create a scheme which is already generating strong interest from potential occupiers.”
