GLOUCESTER | Full Summary of Projects

[pharmj]

Ok, its official...construction has now begun on Gloucester Quays!!

A tower crane has been put up, and construction started last week, in what will be a landmark development for the city. The St Anns, Llanthony, Southgate area will be totally transformed by this when it all opens in spring 2009.



The site on the other side of the canal on Monk Meadow has also been cleared now, in readiness for construction of the massive new Sainsburys superstore to begin.

[pharmj]

Second phase of St Oswalds Park kicks off...

Citizen (16/10/07)

Work has begun on the final phase of the St Oswald's Retail Park in Gloucester with strong hints of what is to come revealed by developer Hammerson.

Hoardings are still going up along the front of the site, which fronts St Oswald's Road, and which is already home to the giant B &Q store, and the likes of Mothercare and Argos.

Details of just what is to be built have been under wraps - until now. And there are some interesting bedfellows.

"There are two pods going on the front. Leases have been signed to Nat West Bank, which will share a unit with Subway. Units are 2,000 to 3,000," said a spokesman for Hammerson plc, which describes itself as a leading European real estate company.

"As for the second of these two pods, the contract has not been signed yet. Negotiations are some way down the line with a national restaurant chain and a coffee shop.

"The details cannot be revealed. The other unit is 17,000 sq ft, and again no contract has been signed. But I can tell you it is a furniture and hardware store. It is a household name and this will be its first store associated with furniture and hardware."

The value of the overall investment in the development of the front of the site has not been revealed.

Hammerson said it was "very happy" with the design's larger building.

"It is significant. It will finish off the parade nicely. It is a landmark building with lots of glass., lots of chrome, a really nice building," said the spokesman.

Work is being carried out on the site for Hammerson by Midlands-based Thomas Vale.

The whole project is expected to be finished by April with the traders and stores opening from June.

[vinnienet]

A new home for the Tigers?

[pharmj]

Ok guys, lots and lots of news this week...

Gloucester Quays has been officially launched today with massive fan-fare and a high-profile advertising campaign. The scheme as commenced construction with a large tower crane erecting steelwork for the outlet shopping centre and car parks. The scheme has now increased in value to £400million.

Peel developements have totally relaunched the website www.gloucesterquays.co.uk showing the latest renders, descriptions and news. The superstore and outlet mall are due to be completed late 2009, with the new St Ann Bridge open early 2008. There are two hotels, one 4* the other 3* and many shops, cafes, restaurants and homes as part of the huge project.

They describe the project as follows:
Gloucester Quays is one of the largest mixed use waterside regeneration developments in the U.K. The 60 acre development which commenced in 2005 will provide over 150,000 sq m (1.6 million sq ft) and include:

-Outlet centre of over 20,000 sq m(200,000 sq ft) (containing over 100 outlets)
-Waterfront bars, cafés and restaurants
-Leisure facilities of 4,200 sq m(45,000 sq ft)
-Shoppers car park of over 1,300 spaces
-4-star 80 bedroom hotel and 100+ bedroom budget hotel
-Foodstore of 7,800 sq m (85,000 sq ft)
-Office space of 9,000 sq m (100,000 sq ft)
-Educational facilities of 19,500 sq m(210,000 sq ft)
-Over 1,000 residential units
-Bus/taxi pick up/drop down point
-Petrol filling station

Interestingly, they also mention that there will be water-taxis serving the canal into the gloucester dock, and they also mention an extensive refurbishment and extension to the 6-screen multiplex at the Peel Centre as well.

There is a video fly-through prepared by Peel on the Gloucestershire Media website well worth watching...http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co....pNodeId=231882

Also this week, Tesco announced they shall be extending the store at Quedgley to make it a Tesco Extra store, to cope with the extra demand placed from the Kingsway estate built nearby.
The store will have another 20,000sq-ft added onto it, subject to planning and public approval.

Gloucester Tall Ships Festivalhas got off to a flying start, coinciding with the launch of Gloucester Quays. Thousands packed Gloucester Docks to see the 5 huge ships sail into the dock. For many, it was the first time they had seen liners like these in Gloucerster, in what was a glimpse into the city's forgotten past. The ships remain lit up until monday and they sail away after the festival is over.

[kevster]

the Kathleen and May one of the 5 tall ships in the main dock basin





and just to get back on topic these 2 are working on the gloucester quays project next to the docks

[pharmj]

There is now a 3rd tower crane on site constructing the steel and concrete framework of the designer outlet centre and multi-story carpark. This is now one of the largest construction sites Gloucester has ever seen.

Peel Holdings have released this press announcment as well:

Article by Lindsey Ashworth, Chairman of Peel Holdings

There must be an easier way of making a living!

When Peel formed a development partnership with British Waterways in 1999 I never imagined that it would be 2007 before we could start on site building out the scheme. The planning system now in the UK is far too complicated and takes too long to get through. We are forced to spend too much time and money with research and report writing to explain obvious solutions to simple problems.

Having said this, what a fantastic feeling to have overcome all the planning obstacles and to see those dreadful dilapidated mainly derelict buildings demolished and removed from site. The potential and greatness of the Canal has revealed itself to be the gateway into the heart of the city of Gloucester. All the buildings that have some degree of architectural merit have been saved and are being lovingly restored to be brought back into meaningful use. The character of the area as a canalside environment is being preserved and the development when complete will be a credit to all those who helped, made a positive contribution and never gave up when the chips were down and believe me there were many times that even I nearly threw my hat in.


We are about to rise out of the ground with our construction works with the steel frame for the Designer Outlets and multi storey car park. The shopping and leisure will have three different areas; a modern mall arrangement with a beautiful “gull wing” shaped glass roof over, a traditional street pattern external arrangement and finally waterfront cafes, bars and restaurants where people can once again enjoy the beautiful Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.


The new blue and white college is now open for business which is a superb start to bringing life back to the canalside walkways as people come back to the area.

The new bridge across the Canal connecting the Designer Outlets to the bypass will be open next year funded mainly by the Gloucester Quays partnership.

The next stage will be opening of all the designer outlets, a new hotel, cafes , bars, restaurants and other leisure in the spring of 2009.


Our ambition is to make this the best Designer Outlet Shopping complex in the country and with the brilliant tenant line up we are putting together the signs so far are that it will be.


A big thanks to all the people of Gloucester for supporting us through the years and mark my words you will be proud of what we are creating when you see the finished piece.

[pharmj]

Kevster, thanks for those photos of the Tall Ships festival, it looks fantastic. I watched the fireworks they held down there on a video online, they looked great as well. The docks area has become really vibrant lately, big congratulations to Gloucester URC.

I am home this weekend, so will try and take some photos of all the action down by the docks and St Oswalds Park while I am there.

Also in the news, Esporta Health and Fitness is due to open in January. Here are the details, as taken from their website:

The Gloucestershire Health & Racquets Club

Opening in January 2008Welcome to The Gloucestershire Health & Racquets Club, Esporta.s recent addition to its existing 53 premium health clubs.

Esporta has invested over £13 million in the club, which is due to open at the beginning of January with the very latest in equipment and facilities. As an Esporta Racquets Club, it is one of our largest clubs covering over 80,000 square feet.

The facilities available at the club are as follows:

6 indoor tennis courts (with viewing lobby on the first floor).
3 outdoor tennis courts, 2 of the courts are acrylic and 1 is astro-turf.
A 25 metre indoor swimming pool.
A 20 metre outdoor swimming pool.
Sauna, steam room and spa bath for you to relax in and take the stresses and strains of the day away.
Restaurant and bar, with family and adults only lounge.
Enjoy a Costa Coffee relaxing on our outdoor café terrace.
Crèche with outdoor play area.
Fitness arena with over 165 pieces of state of the art equipment.
3 studios, with 2 to be used for aerobics, yoga and various other classes and 1 to be used for cycle classes.
Car parking with 240 parking spaces.

Tesco have announced major plans to expand their Quedgely store by 20,000sq ft. This takes the store to 60,000 sq ft in total. The store will be rebranded as a Tesco Extra, and will stock a greater range of non-food items like furniture and toys. It is thought the Kingsway Development was a key factor in the decision.

Kingsway has had an extra 600 homes approved for construction on what would have been a rail frieght terminal. The terminal is no longer required at the site. Construction has also started on the first of two primary school, and Robert Hitchins also have 1,000,000 sq ft of offices and industry to serve the development. There will be almost 3500homes at Kingsway once complete.

[pharmj]

Ok, I have just returned from Gloucester and MY GOD! How exciting the city looks at the moment!

The docks is a hive of activity, with cranes, diggers and demolition going off everywhere. Buildings along Llanthony road that are not listed have been demolished. There are now three tower cranes on site constructing the lift shafts and main supports for the shopping centre, multi-story car park and hotel site.



The site is enormous, and they are working very fast. Just up the road, contruction of the new bridge to link the development with the new bypass continues. Some of the large girders to hold the road deck in place are being swung into place


The bridge will be a landmark in itself, and will be high enough not to have to open except for exceptionally large vessels. As you cross the bridge going towards Hempsted, there will be a large 80 bedroom 4* hotel on the left (plans to be confirmed), and a large eco-friendly Sainsbury's Superstore on the left. The site for these elements of the scheme has also been cleared, and the supermarket will be open by the end of 2008. The Outlet and Budget Hotel to the south should be open by winter 2009.

Most of the environmental work by Barge Arm has now been completed. The paving is almost complete, and the new paving and restaurant area opposite National Waterways should be open by christmas. The shopping centre Merchants Quay has now totally closed down, and Crest Nicholson are expected to lodge plans for it's replacement, as well as plans for development along southgate street by the end of the year.

Adjacent to the Gloucester Quays site, Bloor homes have started construction of over 200 homes and apartments to sit on the canal by the roundabout at the end of Hempsted Lane and Secunda Way.

Meanwhile accross town, construction has started on the next phase of the £300million St Oswalds Park Scheme. To include a Natwest Bank, Subway, and un-named Cafe brand and an un-named furniture/large goods company (for whom this will be their first store of this kind), they are constructing the new units along the main road. Construction of the housing element has also begun.

Retail Wise, the former Fopp store has been taken on by a women's retail chain, however, the name is not as yet known. Cex has opened in Kings Walk, in a large 2-storey shop. Next is due to open its new retail store on Thursday 15th Nov. The new JD Wetherspoon pub has opened on Eastgate, in what has been described as one of their most exciting developments of the year. The Water Poet is the city's new JD Wetherspoon Pub, while The Regal becomes a Lloyds No1 Bar.

[pharmj]

Finally one bit of news I have come accross...the owners of Centre Severn, a company called Perevil Securities want to develop the site further. The site is currently home to a large Virgin Health and Fitness, Tenpin bowling outlet, Pub/restaurant and a large Premier Travel Inn.

The owners of the site have put in an application to erect signs on the site encouraging development of 350,000 sq-ft mixed use on 18 acres. The only area I can think is that they own some of the land fenced off and currently part of the BirdsEye Factory Complex. This is a large possible development that could attract some large names.

[vinnienet]

This should be useful for your last post Pharmj...

[pharmj]

Wow, that looks like a pretty big development, thanks kevster. I havnt seen anything of it on the planning pages. Mixed use is usually quite interesting, be good to see what we get.

Next in Quedgley has now opened officially, and has generally gone down pretty well. The store has opened just after the company decided to close its city centre store.

[pharmj]

Article taken from todays Citizen:

AN EXCITING TIME TO BE IN THE CITY

Gloucester is like a "northern industrial city in a sea of prosperity, where you need a research degree to discover its heritage."

This classic quote from a Gloucester person was used by Chris Oldershaw, chief executive of Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company to illustrate the exciting challenges facing the city.

Mr Oldershaw was a guest speaker at the recent South West Regional Development Agency stakeholder conference about unlocking the region's potential which took place in Torquay.



He said the quote was, in many respects apt, summing up the challenges faced in the ten year regeneration programme.

"On the positive side, Gloucester has 500 listed buildings, 18 scheduled ancient monuments and internationally important heritage buildings at Gloucester Docks, Blackfriars and the Cathedral. These represent the city's major assets," he said.

"On the negative side, Gloucester also has 100 hectares, that's equivalent to 240 football pitches worth, of vacant and derelict land, representing 30 per cent of the URC area, low levels of educational attainment and unemployment rates at some inner city wards at over seven per cent."

Mr Oldershaw said GHURC had prioritised its investment into seven major areas, now referred to as the Magnificent Seven. These comprise Gloucester Docks, Gloucester Quays, The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, Greater Blackfriars, Greyfriars, Kings Quarter and the Railway Triangle.

"Since 2004 when the URC was sanctioned by government nearly £250 million has been invested in the URC area. Arguably the most important project has been the South West Bypass which was led by Gloucestershire County Council at the total cost of £43 million opening in May this year. "Its importance lies in the fact that it opens up not only Gloucester Quays for new investment, but also other city centre sites including the Docks and Blackfriars it will enable us to reduce Commercial Road down to a single carriage way in each direction which will improve links between Gloucester Docks, Gloucester Quays and Blackfriars.

"In terms of other infrastructure we also have a new bridge going over the canal on St Ann Way, funded by English Partnerships at a total cost of nearly £8 million which is scheduled for completion in April next year."

He praised the South West RDA and Crest Nicholson for coordinating most of the investment in Gloucester Docks.

The design of the Barge Arm apartments development at the Docks has come in for some severe criticism.

Mr Oldershaw said: "This development has proved to be extremely controversial in that although it may satisfy the Commission for Architecture and Built Environments' key criteria in terms of scale and massing, the jury is clearly out on whether it has satisfied perhaps the most important criteria of looking good.

" I personally feel it is a capable piece of architecture but it's not inspirational and certainly there is a tremendous need within the URC and the city as a whole to raise the whole debate about architecture and urban design to take us up to the next level. This is a key role for our Design Review Panel."

He added: "Looking back at many of the historic photographs of Gloucester Docks what really strikes you is the level of activity on the water and unfortunately this is not the case anymore.

"Clearly we need to look beyond landward development to encourage greater use and more positive and productive use of the water as part of the regeneration programme."

The recent Tall Ships Festival at the Docks which attracted £70,000 funding from the South West RDA as part of flood recovery plan was a great success attracting around 20,000 people.

"Gloucester Quays is the largest development within the URC area at £300 million," said Mr Oldershaw.

"It is a joint venture between British Waterways and Peel Developments and comprises 1.5 million square feet of new floor space, the major element of which will be a new Designer Outlet Centre.

"The scheme will bring into Gloucester not only quality retailing but also two new hotels, a major new retail outlet which Sainsbury's have recently signed up to and 1000 new homes.

"It will be delivered during the next six years with the first phase due to open in April 2009."

Mr Oldershaw told the audience: "Creating successful places which are distinctive, inspirational, viable and safe doesn't happen overnight.

"We have a ten-year plan to transform Gloucester which is both ambitious and achievable, we are now well on the way but we need to be careful to manage people's expectations and we have therefore recently produced a community news letter, revised our network news and updated our website.

"There are exciting times ahead for us."

[pharmj]

Also a couple more little updates:

Bloor homes have just about started marketing their development at Gloucester Docks. 221 units, comprising of 1+2 bedroom apartments and 2,3 and 4 bedroom houses will begin imminently, with marketing suites opening in spring 2008.

Gloucester Royal Hospital has announced plans to build a new three storey builidng by entrance 4, fronting onto Great Western Road. The building will be beside the old victorian childrens unit. It will contain clinical care facilities on the ground floor with offices on the second and third floors. Renders are yet to come.

[pharmj]

Taken from the Citizen today:

FIRMS FLOCK TO GLOUCESTER
More multi-million pound deals involving the relocations of firms from inside and outside the county are continuing to propel Gloucester Business Park forward.

International management and construction group Gleeds has just relocated to the site from the centre of Gloucester and Pantheon Financial was hot on the firm's heals.

The name of a third company from Gloucestershire, which has acquired a 10,000-plus square foot building at Charlton Court on the site, is still under wraps, but the deal is said to be worth £1.75m. International management and construction group Gleeds has taken a 3,810 sq ft unit at Regent Court, moving its 15 staff from offices in College Green.



"We will probably sub-let the bottom floor for the moment, but we have plans to expand," said partner Steve Smith.

Goodman, which owns and manages the Brockworth site, also undertook the full fit out of Gleeds' new offices.

Pantheon Financial amalgamated two of its offices, in Evesham and Southop, to take 2,389 sq ft of office space at Charlton Court, which was speculatively developed by the £1.8 billion Arlington Business Parks Partnership fund, which is managed by Goodman.

Pantheon, a national company which provides financial advice to private and corporate clients, has agreed a 10-year lease worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Andy Fitz, Pantheon financial director, said: "This is a significant move for us as we are merging two offices that are well known in their existing locations. Due to continued expansion of the Pantheon group we felt that Charlton Court satisfied all our requirements and we look forward to growing our business from this new Gloucester base."

All that is known about the third deal is that the 10,220 sq ft building at Charlton Court has been sold to an undisclosed owner-occupier. The agreement means that the speculative office phase that was completed earlier this year is now 60 per cent full.

The Brockworth site remains the largest allocated employment site in the South West and when complete is expected to have generated 10,000 jobs.

Jim Johnston, Goodman's managing director, UK business parks, said: "Over the last year in particular we have received high levels of interest.

"Across all the other business parks and office schemes we own, develop and manage, we are in a fortunate position where we can accommodate both small, growing businesses and large organisations employing hundreds of people.

"Because of this and the wider appeal of Gloucester as a business location, we are confident that this trend will continue and we will hopefully see further businesses here before the end of the year."

This year, Goodman has also welcomed several other businesses to the park including Gloucestershire Conservative Association, Fortis Insurance, Vanguard Healthcare Solutions and Anro Estates Ltd.

Health and fitness chain Esporta is due to open shortly to accompany the adjacent and now well-established 24-hour Tesco superstore, Premier Travelodge and the Whittle Inn Whitbread pub.

A planning application has also been submitted by Frontier Estates - which acquired land at the park last year - for further retail and leisure facilities.

[vinnienet]

In Gloucester Buisness Park and Waterwells we have two massive developements on the eastern and southern borders of the City. Are they good or are they taking jobs out of the centre of town to negative effect?

[pharmj]

I think that these two developments allow for companies that are based in Gloucester at the moment the option to remain in Gloucester once they get too big for the city centre. We have a chronic lack of decent office space in the city, and these business parks can provide it. They also have excellent transport links and other facilities nearby.

This can then allow other sites (such as the former Fortis Insurance offices on London Road) to become available to other companies or to be redeveloped.

Speaking of which, Ecclesiastical, one of the largest employers in Gloucester has stated that they are dedicated to the city, and want to be a part of it's exciting future. They are looking at options, either to renovate and upgrade their exitising site (Gloucester Park), or to move possibly into the docks, as part of the Quays development. Both moves help safeguard hundreds of city jobs.

[sikejsudjek]

There are now webcams with live feeds of the Quays development here :

http://www.gloucesterquays.co.uk/the...m/default.aspx

Three views of different parts of the site are available.

[kevster]

they appear to knocking down one of the old warehouses at part of the walls site
dont know if it is for this -

http://www.robert-hitchins-limited.c...erialgate.php4

also work has begun on the refurbishment of the offices at Elmbridge Court

http://elmbridgecourt.co.uk/

[pharmj]

Welcome to the forum Sikejsudjek, and thanks for pointing those webcams out, shows how fast they are moving on the Designer Outlet Centre.

Kevster, thanks for pointing out the Elmbridge court refurbishment. The website is quite slick, so hopefully they'll get some good tenants in there. Interesting however as the last I heard of it, they were trying to persuade a goverment office in london to relocate there, so i guess that fell through.

A few little bits of news, firstly starting in the Gloucester Docks...

Some more of the public realm work has been completed around the Barge Arm apartments. Paving and lighting has been installed, and a restuarant is said to be interested in opening up on the ground floor of the apartment block. A historic crane and old railway tracks have also been relaid to reflect the area's rich nautical and industrial history.

Crest Nicolson have shown off plans for the replacement to Merchants Quay. The current two floor centre is derelict and will be pulled down. In it's place, two 5-storey blocks with 48 apartments above, and 5000 sq-ft of retail space in the bottom.

Plans have been submitted for the refurbishment and landscaping of Pillar & Lucy House on Bakers Quay to provide a pub/restaurant in the ground floor and basement with offices above. The proposals include new glazing, doors, canopies and balustrades and a paved square to the east that will give level entry into the ground floor.

The National Waterways Museum in the docks has closed recently for extensive refurbishment over the winter period. The museum is aiming to broaden its appeal to the public with new and refreshed displays, and is due to reopen in May 2008. THe cafe will now be run as a separate enterprise, and will reopen in January.

Fosters on the docks, a mediterainean bar and restaurant has now reopened after extensive refurbishment, needed after being flooded in the 'Great 2007 Flood'.

Outside the Docks....Royal Mail have annouced a major cash injection to upgrade and expand facilities at the distribution centre on Eastern Avenue. This follows the decision to save Gloucester and close Oxford centre instead.

[vinnienet]

Pharmj, I'm pretty sure that the news from Royal Mail will only be short term. Expect that place to close it's doors within 5 to 10 years.

Also, locally, terrible news about the collapse of Travelscope. They are a major employer at the GBP and own a building which looks like it belongs to a successful company.