The proposals, in response to the Southampton City Centre Masterplan for the Fruit and Vegetable Market area, one of 7 key areas for development in the city, directly address the need for more affordable family housing in the city centre. The scheme is the first to be developed within the market district and is championed by the Council as a catalyst for the regeneration of the immediate area.
The 38-unit development (10 houses and 28 apartments) creates a high density residential scheme on a .15 hectare site within the city centre. In an area where 1 and 2 bedroom flats abound, it addresses the existing shortage of larger family homes, whilst establishing and integrating a neighbourhood and active community amongst the existing large scale mixed-use developments and residential buildings.
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The units, designed as dual aspect where possible, include: seven 4 bedroom townhouses, three 2 bedroom mews houses, sixteen 3 bedroom apartments, six 2 bedroom apartments and six 1 bedroom apartments situated above ground floor retail units. The townhouses develop Design ACB's shortlisted Tomorrow's Townhouse entry in the British Home Awards 2011; split level and offering generous floor to ceiling height at ground floor level, the design minimises the depth of the building footprint, allowing the introduction of mews houses to the rear, fronting Brunswick Square.
The mews houses themselves are upside down, with living space on the first floor, opening out onto an elevated private deck. Roof terraces, gardens and balconies are situated throughout the scheme providing ample amenity space for residents and visitors.
The site has been set out, at the key corner of Queensway and Briton Street, so the building form wraps around the edge of the corner, forming an L-shape to house the retail units and apartment entrance at ground floor level. A robust palette of materials, consisting of three different types of buff brickwork arranged in vertical bays, echo the area's industrial past whilst appearing to break up the mass of the building into blocks. A band of charcoal brick is used at street level, broken up with splashes of colour to define entrance points, creating an active street frontage.
Cllr Warwick Payne, Cabinet Member from Housing and Leisure Services, Southampton City Council, said: "Regeneration of the old Fruit and Vegetable Market area is a key element of the City Centre Masterplan. By working closely with developers, the Council is bringing new affordable family homes to enliven the area while reflecting and respecting the Old Town."
Dominic Gaunt, Project Director, commented: "We are working closely with the Local Authority and community and see the Queensway Housing scheme as the first step in breathing new life into what's an under-utilised area in the city centre. It’s an exciting time for Southampton and we're delighted to be part of it."
