This project has transformed a brownfield site into an iconic new leisure led development creating new public space and showcasing the historic city walls. It has been delivered through effective partnership between the public and private sector against financial viability challenges and with strong sustainability outcomes. This is the result of joint partnership investment and commitment by both the developer and contractor. It is a great example of new placemaking for the city and a fantastic example to other local authorities of what can be achieved with joint public-private collaboration. It has provided the city with 1000 jobs, training opportunities and a long-term asset that has transformed this part of Southampton. The project has achieved very sustainable environmental outcomes for a leisure led development with a large number of tenants. This was demonstrated by BREEAM Excellent certification for the design stage and pending completion of the post construction assessment. Whole team collaboration between client, tenants, design team and contractor was required to achieve this outcome.
For the wider industry, the project demonstrates how a commercial project can be both environmentally and socially sustainable and also provide a significant regeneration and placemaking benefit to the heart of a city.
