First glimpse of brighter, post-covid future city?
ARTIST’S IMPRESSIONS OF NEXT PHASE OF AMBITIOUS ISLAND QUARTER
ARTIST’S impressions of the latest phase of the proposed Nottingham Island Quarter site have been released for the first time.
The huge development plans to bring a 223-room five-star hotel, 247 apartments and offices to the 40-acre former Boots Island site – between London Road and Manvers Street – which is currently derelict.
An extensive food and drink area featuring a bar and a busy 100-metre long forum for people to meet are also included in the plans.
Developers say the latest phase of the plans – labelled “1B” – would be a “UK first” and the images show what the site may look like if given the go-ahead.
Planning permission for the first part of the huge mixed-use development, called Canal Turn and featuring a three-storey pavilion with two restaurants, events space and a large rooftop terrace, was granted in September.
Richard Watson, of developer Conygar, said: “The Island Quarter is the biggest city centre regeneration scheme in the UK, and we believe it is vital for the development to bring something outstanding to Nottingham, for which the city and the Midlands can be proud.
“We are fortunate to have a site in Nottingham with its great heritage and an international reputation. With developments such as this and, among other schemes, the renovation of Nottingham Castle, we want to ensure it retains its rightful place as the Queen of the Midlands and a core UK city.
“It is an ambitious project – unmatched across the UK.
“The scheme will raise the profile of Nottingham, so we are working closely with our team of architects and designers and the city council to create a lasting legacy and community for Nottingham.”
The proposal – which also features a luxury day spa and green space for visitors – is believed to be the UK’S first cohesive-use development, incorporating multiple uses within the same flowing space, similar to Roppongi Hills in Tokyo.
Several aspects of the design have been created to meet changing needs anticipated in the aftermath of the pandemic, such as flexible spaces, relaxing community areas and green space. If approved, this latest stage of the project is expected to create hundreds of jobs in both the construction and completion phases.
David Jones, director at Axis Planning, which has coordinated all planning on the scheme since its inception, said: “This latest phase of The Island Quarter is groundbreaking in a number of ways.
“The innovative blending of hotel, office and residential space and the distinctive combination of highquality internal and external environments will, I’m sure, generate significant footfall in this soon to be revitalised part of the city.
“The ground floor provides an extensive, mixed-use food and beverage-led experience incorporating restaurant, bar, forum and atrium space in a way that hasn’t been done before in the UK.
“The mix of linked buildings together with integral and adjacent open spaces provides a fluidity within the development which will be essential in a post-covid world.
“We’re convinced this will create a truly unique experience for people to visit and to stay, live, work and play.
“The scheme will complement future plans for the city, such as the highly anticipated redevelopment of the Broadmarsh. Together, these developments will lead the way for the ambitious Southside regeneration.”
Lorraine Baggs, head of inward investment at Invest in Nottingham, said: “The plans submitted for 1B of The Island Quarter are truly ambitious, and just the kind of development the city needs.
“With the mix of uses, 1B will breathe new life into a site which has long needed regeneration, and I’m confident they will be the catalyst our city needs to help strengthen our economy.”