A DEVELOPER is feeling on top of the world after completing Southampton's tallest building.

The 27-storey tower at Centenary Quay, Woolston, is the centrepiece of a 1,620-home development being built by Crest Nicholson in conjunction with Homes England.

Crest Nicholson is preparing to hand over the tower to its partner, Oaktree Capital Management, with private rental residents expected to move in soon.

They will benefit from a raft of facilities, including a gym and a communal lounge. A terrace on the 23rd floor will provide spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Daily Echo: An artist's impression of the Centenary Quay development being built beside the River Itchen at WoolstonAn artist's impression of the Centenary Quay development being built beside the River Itchen at Woolston (Image: Crest Nicholson)

A Crest Nicholson spokesperson described Centenary Quay as a premium, award-winning destination.

They added: "The development incorporates open space with plenty of amenities on the doorstep including a library, gym, restaurants, coffee shop and beauty salon."

READ MORE: Centenary Quay reaches highest point in Woolston

The newly-finished tower contains 165 new homes and is even taller than the 26-storey, 80m Moresby Tower in nearby Ocean Village.

Crest Nicholson's chief executive, Peter Truscott, comes from Southampton and his father once worked at the 31-acre site, a former shipyard beside the River Itchen.

He said: "For me, this is a particularly special development. I’m very proud to have been involved in the regeneration of the area and the development of this landmark building.

"The community within Centenary Quay continues to thrive and we look forward to seeing this expand with the final phase of the site launching next year."

Daily Echo: The Centenary Quay development pictured earlier this yearThe Centenary Quay development pictured earlier this year (Image: Newsquest.)

Earlier this year Crest Nicholson hosted a celebration marking the "final pour of concrete" during the construction of the tower.

Speaking at the time the then mayor of Southampton, Cllr Alex Houghton, said: "Today marks a great milestone in the Centenary Quay project and I am delighted to have been involved in the topping out ceremony of Southampton’s tallest building.

"As well as providing new homes in Southampton, Centenary Quay offers residents and the surrounding community a wide range of benefits."

READ MORE: Centenary Quay plans approved despite parking concerns

In October the city council approved plans for the sixth and final phase of the 15-year development, which has been changing the city's skyline since 2009. It will add a further 164 homes to the waterfront complex, 43 of which will be affordable.

Daily Echo: The 27-storey tower at Centenary Quay was the scene of a topping out ceremony earlier this yearThe 27-storey tower at Centenary Quay was the scene of a topping out ceremony earlier this year (Image: Newsquest.)

Expected to cost at least £500m, Centenary Quay is being built on a former Vosper Thornycroft shipyard that used to employ around 1,500 workers.

The shipyard closed in 2004, when the company moved its shipbuilding operation to Portsmouth.

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