Esplanade development for Guernsey seafront

Recent years have been a period of immense change for Guernsey's seafront between St Peter Port and St Sampson's. Now new plans for a key site along Glategny Esplanade have been revealed. Close to town and right on the seafront, any chances to this site are going to dramatically affect St Peter Port's skyline. It would be difficult to argue that the building there at the moment couldn't be improved on. But with plans in principle already approved, what's going to replace it? A sixty thousand square foot office block over four floors. The architects were commissioned by ComProp to come up with appropriate plans for the property. Jamie Falla from ABM explained their aims to Channel Online:

"We're trying to make a modern contemporary building that responds to the historic nature and street frontage, so it will have all the necessary requirements of a modern office block but hopefully will be in keeping with what's required and everyone on the seafront will actually admire it as a wonderful new building."

While the warehouse on the site will come down in its entirety, the listed building next door will remain - becoming a vital part of the development according to Richard Sandwith of ABM:

"We had to retain the listed building, in fact we have to renovate it to a very high standard, and we had to actually wrap the building around the listed building, not touching it in any way. So it's been quite a challenge and it will be in the future when we've got to come across and detail that building."

So Does the listed building need a lot of work in itself?

"Yes it's a lot of detailed work that can only be done quite slowly, it's very time consuming, we have a lot high quality timber panelling and it will have to be done slowly and carefully."

The design has been the brainchild of two local architectural firms - who combined to form the new practice ABM. Much like the building they've designed, the experienced age of BAS will add value to the modern MooArc. The company will soon be submitting working drawings to the Environment Department. Then they plan to start work on the site shortly and be completed by the end of next year. (from CIonline)

The Changing face of Guernsey... I don't think I gonna like it.....

The plans will be at custard castle go look at them.and if you so wish object! other wise it will probably go ahead.

do we really need more ugly buildings in guernsey.imo no we dont. do we need more office space in guernsey.imo no we dont. our seafront is being developed beyond recognition .it looks more and more like poole harbour everyday.no more ugly developments please

lets do something about it then.......

The only site that they have done a good job on was the old Savoy site and if it looks as good as that it would be OK if its a modern piece of cr@p then it should be turned down