HAMMERSON PLC 16.12.2014
Hammerson, the retail property specialist, is preparing to start the main construction works for its £70 million WestQuay Watermark development in Southampton's city centre, in the New Year on 5th January 2015.
Enabling works for the first phase of the development have already taken place and following the appointment of the main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, further utility diversion and demolition works will begin on 5th January. This will facilitate the building of what is set to be Southampton's new city centre leisure and dining hub.
As part of the development of WestQuay Watermark, Western Esplanade, the underpass at Bargate Street and the WestQuay walkway connecting Arundel Circus and Harbour Parade will be closed from Monday 26th January. Alternative routes for pedestrians and cyclists to access both Arundel Circus and Harbour Parade will be available. Directional signs will be in place providing clear options for the alternative routes available.
In addition, to enable further utility works to continue, vehicle access to Harbour Parade will also be limited. Harbour Parade will be closed from the Carnival roundabout to the Marks and Spencer corner of WestQuay. Access/egress to WestQuay's Podium and Multi-Storey car parks will be maintained.
WestQuay Watermark is one of Southampton City Council's VIP 'Heart of the City' investment projects within its City Centre Master Plan providing outstanding facilities, promoting the creation of jobs and economic growth for the city. The development also received £7 million from the Government's Regional Growth Fund to support the transformation of the public realm into a new and vibrant plaza for the city.
WestQuay Watermark will be developed in two phases. Phase one, expected to open in autumn 2016, will be a mixed-use, leisure led scheme delivering a landmark 10 screen cinema, up to 20 restaurants and a new public plaza for the city. The second phase has the potential to include a hotel and residential tower with flexibility for retail and office space, subject to further planning approvals.
Guy Wells, Development Manager at Hammerson, commented: "Starting on site in the New Year will mean we have reached a significant milestone in the development process and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved to get to this stage. Having already secured the first Showcase Cinema de Lux for the region we are continuing to make good progress in delivering Southampton with a range of exciting new restaurants, some of which will be a first for the city."
Councillor Simon Letts, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: "I am looking forward to seeing work officially start on site and to see the development emerge. This is a vital first phase in linking the City Centre to the Waterfront via a world class piece of public open space. It forms part of our 'Heart of the City' VIP project to invigorate the city centre, creating over 500 jobs and providing outstanding leisure facilities for residents and visitors to enjoy. We will continue to work closely alongside Hammerson to ensure that disruption to the public throughout the development process is kept to a minimum."
ENDS
To ensure residents and local stakeholders are kept up to speed on progress with the development, regular newsletters will be provided and available to view on the WestQuay Watermark website at www.westquaywatermark.co.uk.
About the Government's Regional Growth Fund
The Government's Regional Growth Fund is a £3.2 billion fund designed to help companies in England to grow. So far £2.9 billion has been allocated to support projects and programmes committed to deliver sustainable jobs and economic growth.www.bis.gov.uk/rgf .
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