Ayrshire Post

Take me to the river

Concept unveiled to get Ayr flowing

- Stephen Houston

Two geniuses of design are behind the creation of the new beating heart of Ayr.

For the first time we can show their thinking on turning carbuncle buildings at the High Street riverside into a 1.1 acre cultural square.

The bold concept from American Charles Jencks - founder of the Maggie’s cancer centres - and Oxford University master planner Niall McLaughlin will be seen in full next week.

But our exclusive preview shows what they envisage to turn shoddy into showpiece. And it includes: statement glass roof

island feature in the river overhang on the water

landscapin­g on the north bank

Ayr Renaissanc­e chairman James Knox said: “It is a huge coup to have attracted two of the most original and esteemed practition­ers in the world of architectu­re and design to take on the master planning of the Riverside Block.

“Both Charles and Niall fell in love with Ayr and the town’s rich history and surviving architectu­ral heritage.

“Their master plan reflects this enthusiasm with its respect for the historical developmen­t of the town between the two bridges.

“This opens up the river to the townspeopl­e once more after decades of blight.”

There can be no doubting the eminence of each designer.

They finally agreed to get involved after many months of badgering by the persuasive and well- connected Renaissanc­e chair.

It has been a long time coming but the plans are a key milestone in the original idea many moons ago by the late Tory provost Gibson Torbert Macdonald.

The public event is being held on Tuesday ( September 6) between 3pm and 7pm in the former Watt Bros store which will be demolished.

Also ready for the wrecking ball are the old Woolworths, Burtons and Forum indoor market – and possibly two period buildings at 8- 10 and 2022 High St.

Jencks, 77, is known as an architectu­ral theorist and actually invented the phrase ‘ post modern.’

He has a home in Dumfriessh­ire where he created the Garden of Cosmic Speculatio­n and Crawick Multiverse on a 55 acre abandoned mine.

Dublin- born architect McLaughlin, is the master planner for Oxford University, and his work is notable for respecting historical settings by designing elegant contempora­ry buildings.

It is hoped Ayr Riverside will draw people in from all over Scotland and could include flats, bars, tearooms and council offices.

And that people will actually start using the river, which is completely without human activity.

The design image shows a rowing team on the water, perfectly possible outside low tides.

Project executive Patrick Dunne said: “We will be working up the final proposal through September with a view to submitting planning shortly afterwards,

“Re- engaging with the river is a strong aim of the landscapin­g vision and Charles Jencks has identified a number of methods for doing this.

“That includes integratin­g the north side into the vision through landscapin­g, the potential for works within the river and land within the Riverside Block for people to sit next to and engage with the River.

“The vision for turning the square created by the New and Auld Brigs, Riverside and River Street, into a new public space for Ayr is a compelling one.”

The public can submit comments on the concept during the exhibition, and could influence final plans.

Renaissanc­e managing director David Bell said: “The event will showcase the options in advance of formal planning applicatio­ns this year.

“Demolition of derelict buildings is anticipate­d to commence next year.”

 ??  ?? Classy An astonishin­g glass feature could shelter part of the site
Classy An astonishin­g glass feature could shelter part of the site
 ??  ?? Pier we go The space between the bridges
Pier we go The space between the bridges
 ??  ?? Messy Wrecking ball will hit next year
Messy Wrecking ball will hit next year
 ??  ??

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