Waterfront transformation plan unveiled

Tuesday 18 August 2020

A 'National Art Gallery', amphitheatre, park, indoor and outdoor pools, boardwalk pier and a bridge over Route de La Libération all feature in new plans to dramatically transform the Waterfront.

Released for the first time today following a public consultation in 2019 on the future of the Waterfront zone, the proposals are a partnership between the Jersey Development Company (JDC) and Gillespies.

The award-winning design firm was chosen unanimously by a selection panel following a competition launched by JDC and the Design Council.

Among Gillespies' key portfolio items are the transformation of the former BBC Television Television Centre, a rooftop garden at Google's Kings Cross headquarters and the City of London Sky Garden. 

Pictured: The proposed promenade.

Having considered the results of the public consultation, and the the government's 'South West St. Helier Planning Framework', the firm generated a proposal aiming to link the Waterfront with the rest of St. Helier via a landscaped bridge over La Route de la Libération.

Plans for the Waterfront area include:

• a new public park and new landscaped gardens at Les Jardins de la Mer including an underground public car park
• a redesigned indoor public pool and gym and new outdoor public 50m saltwater pool
• a National Art Gallery, seaside amphitheatre and boardwalk pier
• 1,000-plus residential units of accommodation with ground floor space for a gym, creche and food and beverage facilities.

JDC is now planning to consult with the public about the plans to decide their priorities for three 'key opportunity sites' (KOS). It's hoped they'll be able to set the criteria for an accompanying commercial and residential development.

The plans come around two years after JDC bought the leisure complex including Cineworld, Aquasplash and Fitness First, which make up 'KOS3'. The next break in that 150-year lease is in 2027.

Pictured: The 'Key Opportunity Sites' the public will be asked to comment on.

"This will be a real step change for St Helier’s important waterfront," JDC’s Managing Director, Lee Henry said.

"Following last year’s adoption of the ‘Southwest St Helier Planning Framework’ as Supplementary Planning Guidance by the Environment Minister, we jointly launched a design competition in order to appoint a highly motivated and creative team to develop a landscape-led, Visionary Framework for some of the ‘Key Opportunity’ sites within the Southwest St Helier area."

He added that JDC was "delighted" to be working with Gillespies on the project, promising JDC's commitment to ensuring the end result is a Waterfront that is "landscape led, environmentally focused and available for all members of the community to enjoy."

Pictured: The proposed boardwalk pier.

Gillespies Partner Stephen Richards said the firm was "thrilled" to be chosen, adding: "Working collaboratively with JDC, and our experts HETA Architects, ICENI, Waterman Group and WSP, our landscape-led proposals will sensitively transform the existing waterfront, into a mixed-use quarter set within a green framework of beautiful new squares, courtyards, roof terraces, green corridors and parklands.

"We are particularly looking forward to engaging with the communities of St. Helier over the coming months, to help shape these exciting proposals.”

Constable of St. Helier Simon Crowcroft welcomed the plans.

Pictured: Landscaped gardens at Jardins de la Mer and an outdoor public pool are part of the plans.

He said: “...We now have the opportunity to see much more green space for people to enjoy in this part of St, Helier.

"I am confident that this busy part of town will become not only more attractive as a result of this appointment but it will also help our visitors and local residents to move around the Waterfront more easily.”

Sue Morgan, Director of Architecture and Built Environment at the Design Council, commended all entrants into the competitive process for their creativity.

Pictured: Proposals for the purpose of each area.

“We’re particularly impressed by the calibre and quality of bids that we saw, along with the creativity and imagination that all the entrants displayed," she commented.

"Each of the shortlisted practices demonstrated a clear understanding of this unique opportunity to connect the town centre to the Waterfront and we wholeheartedly commend their vision and approach. We now look forward to seeing how their concepts develop into the next stage of this exciting vision.”