26-storey apartment tower at Ocean Village given go ahead

The proposed apartment tower at Admiral's Quay in Southampton The proposed apartment tower at Admiral's Quay in Southampton

A SOARING apartment tower, set to become Southampton's tallest building, has been given the go ahead to revive an abandoned flagship waterfront development.

Councillors have approved plans for a £74m scheme that will see three apartment towers, new shops and restaurants built at Ocean Village bringing 200 jobs to the city.

When built, the highest tower at 26 storeys or 260 feet, will become Southampton's tallest building - nearly twice the height of the Civic Centre clock tower.

The scheme was designed by HGP architects, who were behind the Spinnaker Tower and Sails of the South in Portsmouth.

The plans for Admiral's Quay include 299 flats, a public square and up to eight restaurants with seating spilling out onto the waterside promenade.

Allied Developments, half owned by the mega rich boss of the Carphone Warehouse, came to the rescue of the boarded up development after builders downed tools nearly four years ago.

Just three of a planned row of five blocks of flats and two of up to ten restaurants and bars had been built.

Allied managing director Peter Morton said the new development would allow Ocean village to finally live up to its potential for residents and become a "waterfront to be proud of".

“It will be a place where residents can go to and relax and enjoy the waterfront in a wonderful setting," he said.

“Southampton’s waterfront will become a true destination over the coming years and it’s wonderful to be a part of that.”

Allied hope to start work this summer. The new apartments could be completed by summer 2014.

Comments(53)

ToastyTea says...
3:55pm Wed 18 Jan 12

These stories are so boring. There seems to be some new building or idea that has been proposed for the city centre every week that is going to give us the bloody WOW!! factor and none of them ever happen. yawnnnnn.

Vix1 says...
4:04pm Wed 18 Jan 12

What about the part built apartments down in that area already?? Will they get finished?? Seems strange to build more when others have been left unfinished for a couple of years.

Buntylicious says...
4:17pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Hmmm....marginally less ugly than the one at Gunwharf Quays, but glad something's being done to kickstart the redevelopment of the waterfront. Bring it on!

willash90 says...
4:32pm Wed 18 Jan 12

I'm working on a redevelopment of the waterfront, the area east of the Ferry terminal, which is currently a car park - does anyone know what local residents would like to see built on this area, particularly to reconnect it to the city centre?

Shoong says...
4:33pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Great news, hopefully a breath of fresh air for OV. Just get on with it!

sotonbusdriver says...
4:36pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Be nice to see something done there for sure, but really needs to be something the WHOLE community can enjoy, not built for the rich and famous.
The old Canutes Pavillion was great, when it first opened but the rent soon became over priced forcing Companies out of business.
Somewhere that brings trade/shops and entertainment at affordable prices, aimed at everyone in the City.
We see these schemes, but they are targeted at a small and well population.
WHAT about the rest of the working class????

dango says...
4:39pm Wed 18 Jan 12

it seems to me that Ocean Village has no idea what it is or what it wants to be. Things go up, then get knocked down to make way for 'the next big thing'. It has a prime location, but no direction.

Lone Ranger. says...
4:54pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Quote:- Allied Developments, half owned by the mega rich boss of the Carphone Warehouse, came to the rescue of the boarded up development.
.
Isnt he the same chap who half owned "Best Buy" at Hedge End that is now closed down as a complete failure. At the cost of 1100 jobs Nationwide.
.
The future must be bright ..... not

Higginz says...
5:03pm Wed 18 Jan 12

I suspect the artist renderings for the inspirational Weston towers looked a bit like this.

Stillness says...
5:21pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Nice to see such tasteful curves in the design. Yuck.

trixxs says...
5:22pm Wed 18 Jan 12

I think Allied will make Ocean Village a place to live and visit! It close to the ferry terminal.

I am sure they will try & bring back the marina to hosting regattas again.

Can't wait!

Matt Probert says...
5:36pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Something that promotes independent I repeat INDEPENDENT traders and attarcts tourists will benefit the whole community of Southampton. However, more global chain-stores will just siphon more money out of Southampton into offshore Seychelles holidays for the superrich.

What is needed is LOW RENTS for independent outlets, eg Joes Chip Shop, privately owned cafes, decent quality restauants, or privately owned pubs/clubs or wine bars, perhaps a theatre promoting amateur dramatics or small troupes?

Craft shops, a museum, an arcade for the kids, a skate park, or how about an ice rink?

A few poorly paid retail jobs will simply shift low quality employment from one part of the city to another and not benefit anyone locally. But the key must be to keep the monies within Southampton, ordinary people spend their money locally. The super rich (eg the boss of Car Phone Warehouse, Starbucks, Costa Coffee etc) spend it outside and abroad and that harms the quality of life for ordinary local businesses and residents.

Come on Royston, you know I make sense (some of the time!)

Matt

willash90 says...
5:40pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Good contribution Matt Probert! How about a restaurant shaped like a ship right on the seafront, and similar scenery incorporating lots of green and better access to link the areas of the waterfront to the city centre?

Stillness says...
5:46pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Matt Probert wrote:
Something that promotes independent I repeat INDEPENDENT traders and attarcts tourists will benefit the whole community of Southampton. However, more global chain-stores will just siphon more money out of Southampton into offshore Seychelles holidays for the superrich.

What is needed is LOW RENTS for independent outlets, eg Joes Chip Shop, privately owned cafes, decent quality restauants, or privately owned pubs/clubs or wine bars, perhaps a theatre promoting amateur dramatics or small troupes?

Craft shops, a museum, an arcade for the kids, a skate park, or how about an ice rink?

A few poorly paid retail jobs will simply shift low quality employment from one part of the city to another and not benefit anyone locally. But the key must be to keep the monies within Southampton, ordinary people spend their money locally. The super rich (eg the boss of Car Phone Warehouse, Starbucks, Costa Coffee etc) spend it outside and abroad and that harms the quality of life for ordinary local businesses and residents.

Come on Royston, you know I make sense (some of the time!)

Matt
Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!! Not the ice rink idea again p-lease! The Echo's servers wont be able to cope with the posts now, just you wait and see.

News Fanatic says...
5:48pm Wed 18 Jan 12

I bet these flats will not be priced at an affordable price for those on meagre wages, instead they will most likely be very expensive.

George4th says...
5:50pm Wed 18 Jan 12

This is Fantastic news for Southampton!
>
Begone you doom-mongers and negative people.
>
It's great to see all the new projects being put forward after 30 years of the previous councils sitting on their hands doing nothing! Now perhaps we will start to catch up with the likes of Portsmouth who have been innovative whilst Southampton have been sterile!
>
Come on Southampton City people, start cheering good news!

Stillness says...
5:59pm Wed 18 Jan 12

George4th wrote:
This is Fantastic news for Southampton!
>
Begone you doom-mongers and negative people.
>
It's great to see all the new projects being put forward after 30 years of the previous councils sitting on their hands doing nothing! Now perhaps we will start to catch up with the likes of Portsmouth who have been innovative whilst Southampton have been sterile!
>
Come on Southampton City people, start cheering good news!
Calm down dear. I's not good for your heart. You know what the doctor said about excitement.

J.K. says...
6:09pm Wed 18 Jan 12

The only benefit is to the punters putting up the money and taking the profit.
But in the usual pattern for Southampton projects they will run out of money and go begging to the Council for a free loan

allsaintsnocurves says...
6:54pm Wed 18 Jan 12

There's no point is complaining about these stories this is great news if you are fully supportive to Southamptons future vision for the city. Read on the link below and it will become clear what the city will be like in 10 to 20 years time. The Waterfront is the prime location for living, eating and drinking...the central areas of the city will change drastically over the coming years.

http://www.southampt
on.gov.uk/s-environm
ent/future/citycentr
e/

AndyAndrews says...
6:54pm Wed 18 Jan 12

I'm all for a new waterside promenade and more restaurants but won't hold my breath.

IronLady2010 says...
6:54pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Hurry up and build it, it has to be better than the way it's currently been left!

My only issue is with all the extra jobs it will create on top of the new residents it will bring in is what are they planning to do about the road network? It's chaos each day as it stands now!

allsaintsnocurves says...
7:07pm Wed 18 Jan 12

IronLady2010 wrote:
Hurry up and build it, it has to be better than the way it's currently been left! My only issue is with all the extra jobs it will create on top of the new residents it will bring in is what are they planning to do about the road network? It's chaos each day as it stands now!
I would love to know what the cities plans are for the roads or if they plan to put a transportation link up from the station to all these places. New month the blueprint for the city will be revealed and I will keep my eyes open for this.

GraduallyACat says...
7:08pm Wed 18 Jan 12

News Fanatic wrote:
I bet these flats will not be priced at an affordable price for those on meagre wages, instead they will most likely be very expensive.
Really? Brand new flats in Ocean Village will be expensive? Who would have thought, eh?

willash90 says...
7:57pm Wed 18 Jan 12

How did something this tall get planning permission? There needs to be infrastructure put in place for traffic, and utilities like cafes/cultural places with it surely?

George4th says...
8:39pm Wed 18 Jan 12

allsaintsnocurves wrote:
There's no point is complaining about these stories this is great news if you are fully supportive to Southamptons future vision for the city. Read on the link below and it will become clear what the city will be like in 10 to 20 years time. The Waterfront is the prime location for living, eating and drinking...the central areas of the city will change drastically over the coming years.

http://www.southampt

on.gov.uk/s-environm

ent/future/citycentr

e/
Excellent Post!
All readers should do as "allsaintsnocurves" suggests, especially the whingers and the moaners and the doom-mongers!
Have a look at the link "allsaintsnocurves" has posted and see the fantastic future of your City, Southampton City!

jazzi says...
9:17pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Im sorry for this xx but what a load of **** x overpriced and not needed, to look over a scabby bit of dockland, good god, why on earth would anyone want to live there, unless u moor ur boat, so what about 60 moorings, maybe more x just another waste of money trying to boost a dead dock !!!!

IronLady2010 says...
9:28pm Wed 18 Jan 12

jazzi wrote:
Im sorry for this xx but what a load of **** x overpriced and not needed, to look over a scabby bit of dockland, good god, why on earth would anyone want to live there, unless u moor ur boat, so what about 60 moorings, maybe more x just another waste of money trying to boost a dead dock !!!!
Maybe we should simply invest in the Council estates for them to be trashed by the locals?

Lord Swood says...
10:18pm Wed 18 Jan 12

I hope the roads to access this area get reviewed too. The traffic in town is dreadful these days (mainly due to having traffic lights every 10m). I avoid going into the city, since it can be an unpleasant experience in a car.
One solution is better public transport of course, but that needs to include routes throughout the town.
Bring back trams! and an ice rink, and let's have some form of memorial to Benny Hill too.

IronLady2010 says...
10:29pm Wed 18 Jan 12

Lord Swood wrote:
I hope the roads to access this area get reviewed too. The traffic in town is dreadful these days (mainly due to having traffic lights every 10m). I avoid going into the city, since it can be an unpleasant experience in a car.
One solution is better public transport of course, but that needs to include routes throughout the town.
Bring back trams! and an ice rink, and let's have some form of memorial to Benny Hill too.
I fully agree, the traffic around Ocean Village is a nightmare particularly when a cruise liner is in dock.

It will only get worse when this hopefully gets built, which by the way I hope it does as Ocean Village is a nice area to visit and live, just a bloomin eyesore right now!

City Saint says...
11:58pm Wed 18 Jan 12

IronLady2010 wrote:
jazzi wrote:
Im sorry for this xx but what a load of **** x overpriced and not needed, to look over a scabby bit of dockland, good god, why on earth would anyone want to live there, unless u moor ur boat, so what about 60 moorings, maybe more x just another waste of money trying to boost a dead dock !!!!
Maybe we should simply invest in the Council estates for them to be trashed by the locals?
Jazzi, I understand your outburst given the very real economic problems that we all face. But there are those of us who look at Southampton and imagine how it could be; and those of us who look at Southampton who despair. As a man with deep roots in Southampton, and investments in the city, I encourage you to step up and imagine what a fantastic city we could make it again. Projects like these are much needed.

Separately, I am pleased to see the developments around the Yacht Club continue to hold their value and do well. Maybe the curse of OV is finally coming to an end.

Sovietobserver says...
12:09am Thu 19 Jan 12

If the planners are not careful the whole area around Ocean Village will become inundated with souless blocks of flats reminiscent of the toxic carbuncles of the Brezhnev era still seen in every ex-soviet city today.
A few posy restaurants at ground level wont make the slightest difference to the character of the area.
Give the people what they want, albeit an area set aside for a permanent fairground attraction, an open air entertainment venue, plus a few honky tonk bars thrown in to liven the area up.

andysaints007 says...
2:00am Thu 19 Jan 12

Lone Ranger. wrote:
Quote:- Allied Developments, half owned by the mega rich boss of the Carphone Warehouse, came to the rescue of the boarded up development.
.
Isnt he the same chap who half owned "Best Buy" at Hedge End that is now closed down as a complete failure. At the cost of 1100 jobs Nationwide.
.
The future must be bright ..... not
..and your point is what?????

vag says...
8:24am Thu 19 Jan 12

Sovietobserver wrote:
If the planners are not careful the whole area around Ocean Village will become inundated with souless blocks of flats reminiscent of the toxic carbuncles of the Brezhnev era still seen in every ex-soviet city today. A few posy restaurants at ground level wont make the slightest difference to the character of the area. Give the people what they want, albeit an area set aside for a permanent fairground attraction, an open air entertainment venue, plus a few honky tonk bars thrown in to liven the area up.
I live in Ocean Village now. I'm not sure whether this new development is a good thing or not.

loosehead says...
8:45am Thu 19 Jan 12

Please remember this. this land was not & is not owned by Southampton City Council.
It was owned by ABP sold to developers & they quit & have now sold on to this lot.
They aren't going to put up loss making projects or properties that will only bring in low financial gain,they want to make as much as possible out of it.
I don't like the look at the proposed hotel on the site but if these flats are all up market maybe that will bring the costs of other developments down to a level more people can afford as all the people with money will buy only these( hopefully)

bigfella777 says...
9:09am Thu 19 Jan 12

Its about time Southampton had somewhere the upper class can go without having to mix with all the working class and riff-raff. It would be so nice to sit somewhere without having to listen to all the coarse language and not have to look at Tracey or Sharon's leggings and tattoos.
I hope they set the food and drinks prices really high to make it a really nice place to be.

bigfella777 says...
9:09am Thu 19 Jan 12

Its about time Southampton had somewhere the upper class can go without having to mix with all the working class and riff-raff. It would be so nice to sit somewhere without having to listen to all the coarse language and not have to look at Tracey or Sharon's leggings and tattoos.
I hope they set the food and drinks prices really high to make it a really nice place to be.

bigfella777 says...
9:09am Thu 19 Jan 12

Its about time Southampton had somewhere the upper class can go without having to mix with all the working class and riff-raff. It would be so nice to sit somewhere without having to listen to all the coarse language and not have to look at Tracey or Sharon's leggings and tattoos.
I hope they set the food and drinks prices really high to make it a really nice place to be.

Linesman says...
9:49am Thu 19 Jan 12

Things are looking up!!!

Zeo says...
10:02am Thu 19 Jan 12

willash90 wrote:
I'm working on a redevelopment of the waterfront, the area east of the Ferry terminal, which is currently a car park - does anyone know what local residents would like to see built on this area, particularly to reconnect it to the city centre?
Better transport, maybe a railway line from Ferry Terminal to Canute Road, Northam to London? Reduce grid lock roads down there.

bigfella777 says...
10:12am Thu 19 Jan 12

Zeo wrote:
willash90 wrote:
I'm working on a redevelopment of the waterfront, the area east of the Ferry terminal, which is currently a car park - does anyone know what local residents would like to see built on this area, particularly to reconnect it to the city centre?
Better transport, maybe a railway line from Ferry Terminal to Canute Road, Northam to London? Reduce grid lock roads down there.
If you want to reduce gridlock get a bicycle.

vag says...
12:48pm Thu 19 Jan 12

bigfella777 wrote:
Its about time Southampton had somewhere the upper class can go without having to mix with all the working class and riff-raff. It would be so nice to sit somewhere without having to listen to all the coarse language and not have to look at Tracey or Sharon's leggings and tattoos. I hope they set the food and drinks prices really high to make it a really nice place to be.
Yes, upper class, no riff raff / coarse language, no Sharon or Tracey. Oh hang on a minute...........

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:40pm Thu 19 Jan 12

..and now ABP appear to have scuppered the Aeronautica Museum, how surprising was that, how much money has been poured down the drain already? Tourism and Southampton are simply a no no.

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:42pm Thu 19 Jan 12

George4th wrote:
This is Fantastic news for Southampton!
>
Begone you doom-mongers and negative people.
>
It's great to see all the new projects being put forward after 30 years of the previous councils sitting on their hands doing nothing! Now perhaps we will start to catch up with the likes of Portsmouth who have been innovative whilst Southampton have been sterile!
>
Come on Southampton City people, start cheering good news!
Sorry, but I bet it goes off half cocked like every other project in Southampton.

misbehaving says...
3:07pm Thu 19 Jan 12

Lone Ranger. wrote:
Quote:- Allied Developments, half owned by the mega rich boss of the Carphone Warehouse, came to the rescue of the boarded up development. . Isnt he the same chap who half owned "Best Buy" at Hedge End that is now closed down as a complete failure. At the cost of 1100 jobs Nationwide. . The future must be bright ..... not
Does it matter. your all so negative you dont wamt anything good in Southampton

loosehead says...
3:58pm Thu 19 Jan 12

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
..and now ABP appear to have scuppered the Aeronautica Museum, how surprising was that, how much money has been poured down the drain already? Tourism and Southampton are simply a no no.
Osprey surely before they started moving every thing & went to the press they should have had it signed sealed & delivered?
I was shocked & surprised after all the Hype by these people that they didn't own or have a signed agreement for the site.
Where now? Woolston? as I've said before this is ABP's land & no matter what we or the council might say they will sell to who ever they like.
Is there any room at Ocean Village for this museum? Maybe this is the reason the Titanic museum's on the side of the civic?
they say they need it by the water so if no room at Town Quay where to now?
How much for the land where the towers & hotel are going to be built? how much would Aeronautica be willing to pay? what about the old woolhouse?

loosehead says...
3:59pm Thu 19 Jan 12

Osprey surely before they started moving every thing & went to the press they should have had it signed sealed & delivered?
I was shocked & surprised after all the Hype by these people that they didn't own or have a signed agreement for the site.
Where now? Woolston? as I've said before this is ABP's land & no matter what we or the council might say they will sell to who ever they like.
Is there any room at Ocean Village for this museum? Maybe this is the reason the Titanic museum's on the side of the civic?
they say they need it by the water so if no room at Town Quay where to now?
How much for the land where the towers & hotel are going to be built? how much would Aeronautica be willing to pay? what about the old woolhouse?

loosehead says...
4:01pm Thu 19 Jan 12

sorry kept on getting internal error up. never meant to post it twice

Lord Swood says...
10:41pm Thu 19 Jan 12

loosehead wrote:
sorry kept on getting internal error up. never meant to post it twice
That particular server internal error happens quite often. When people rewrite their posts they write less each time.

That server thing happens quite a lot. People write less each time.

That happens a lot, people write less.

It happens.

loosehead says...
7:39am Fri 20 Jan 12

Lord Swood wrote:
loosehead wrote:
sorry kept on getting internal error up. never meant to post it twice
That particular server internal error happens quite often. When people rewrite their posts they write less each time.

That server thing happens quite a lot. People write less each time.

That happens a lot, people write less.

It happens.
Sorry for apologising but at least it gave you something to write about

Danae says...
9:23am Fri 20 Jan 12

What (apart from cosmetic design) has changed since the site was abandoned in 2004?
.
Does Allied have greater prospect of selling flats in this position than Wilson Bowden or Barratt, the last two who tried to promote the site?
.
Since very many people cannot get mortgages it is very hard to sell housing and consequently very difficult to get development funding for projects.
.
Has Allied got funding for this project?
.
Surely this is the most important, and missing, bit of information from the article.

elvisimo says...
4:05pm Fri 20 Jan 12

just catching up on comments "craft shops , local traders and an ice rink"
what planet?????

Developers have to borrow money to build schemes - they have to demonstrate that the completed development will be worth a substantial amount of money - Mr Smith selling Macrame and Mrs Jones selling clay cats is not going to do it im afraid.

Local retailers are not prevelant in southampton because people do not use them. The repeated story that rents are too high is a red herring. You can find edge of prime retail premises at bargain prices at the moment with decent rent free periods.

As for an ice rink - they do not make money. In fact they do not even cover their own costs and only work when they are heavily subsidised by either the council of the developer (incidentally the same case as with cinema's). Not going to happen!

cantthinkofone says...
7:51pm Sat 21 Jan 12

The city already has plenty of empty apartment blocks, and there's a desperate shortage of affordable housing. Families with kids need a garden to kick a ball about in - FIFA on the Xbox isn't the same thing.

I've just come back from a day in Bristol. Southampton council could learn an awful lot from what they've done with that City. It makes Southampton look like a medieval cess-pit.

loosehead says...
9:00pm Sat 21 Jan 12

cantthinkofone wrote:
The city already has plenty of empty apartment blocks, and there's a desperate shortage of affordable housing. Families with kids need a garden to kick a ball about in - FIFA on the Xbox isn't the same thing.

I've just come back from a day in Bristol. Southampton council could learn an awful lot from what they've done with that City. It makes Southampton look like a medieval cess-pit.
I use to live in Freshfield rd Millbrook but I walked around richmond rd & other roads in that area 7 many good family homes have either been knocked down or converted into flats & I totally agree with you on the amount of flats in the city.
I just feel we have to stop family homes from being knocked down or turned into flats but these flats are close to the waters edge & I don't think they would be suitable as houses for young families

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