Member Article

Architects appointed to Brighton Waterfront masterplan

WilkinsonEyre has been appointed to lead a team of experts to develop a masterplan for the city’s Waterfront scheme.

The architecture firm, which designed the famous Gateshead Millennium bridge and the Olympic Basketball Arena for London 2012, will carry out initial work to draw up a masterplan study of Black Rock and how it relates to the surrounding seafront sites.

Other practices appointed to transform Kings Road & Churchill Square represent the very best in retail and leisure architecture. ACME are currently completing Leeds Victoria Gate and a masterplan for Chester city centre while Leonard Design Architects have played a key part in major regeneration schemes in London.

Brighton’s Waterfront project will deliver a new conference and events venue to replace the Brighton Centre, and an extension to Churchill Square that will transform its relationship with the surrounding area and extend the city centre to the seafront.

Both sets of architects will be working on conceptual ideas that will produce the best quality design for the two sites.

The masterplan will make sure the sites are developed to a high standard that enhances the city’s heritage. Conservation groups will be involved to ensure consideration of the seafront’s historic landscape is included in the plan.

Negotiations between Brighton & Hove City Council and Standard Life Investments on the Brighton Waterfront development agreement have progressed well in the last few months. The terms of the agreement should be put to the Policy & Resources Committee for approval in Spring 2016. This will allow contracts to be exchanged and work to begin in earnest.

Council leader Warren Morgan said: “This is arguably the most important project for the city’s future prosperity and one we are committed to delivering on time and in budget. It is key to the wider regeneration of the seafront and to delivering economic growth, jobs, homes and income for the city from new business rates and council tax.

“We now have an impressive professional team to take this forward and produce a quality development that respects the city’s heritage whilst building a city fit for the future. The project team will be consulting with stakeholders in the New Year and the council will continue to work productively with Standard Life Investments on getting the agreement ready to be approved in Spring.”

James Stevens, Head of Development for Standard Life Investments, commented: “We’re very pleased with the progress we’ve made this year on this crucial project for the city. Concluding the legal agreements will enable Standard Life Investments and Brighton & Hove City Council to take the Waterfront project to the next stage.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .