Richmond Gardens, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Plans approved to revitalise English seaside city
CZWG’s plans for Richmond Gardens, a £50m mixed-use development in Bournemouth’s Town Centre, have received unanimous approval by councillors. Commissioned by Grosvenor and Tonstate Group, the design for a 172 bedroom hotel, 120 homes and 1,500 sq m of office space was praised earlier this year by the South West Design Review Panel for its 'verve' and 'élan' and will help revitalise a key part of Bournemouth’s Town Centre. The proposal will see the existing Richmond Hill multi-storey car park refurbished and surrounded by 5 new buildings.

On hearing the news that plans have been approved, Adam West, Partner at CZWG said: “Our scheme for Bournemouth will bring social and economic benefits and give this part of town a new identity. Homes and commercial activity will enliven the area and bring new residents into the neighbourhood.”

Ed Skeates, Projects Director at Grosvenor commented: “This is very good news for Grosvenor and our joint-venture partner Tonstate as well as for Bournemouth itself. We are delighted that the Council share our vision for something bold and expressive: this bodes well for the future of the town.”

The development takes advantage of extensive sea views whilst negotiating level changes across the site of over ten metres and maintaining the existing retail and parking accommodation. The new buildings have been inspired by Bournemouth’s rich Art Deco past but create their own distinctive identity. The sweeping forms mediate between the curves of the neighbouring crescent and surrounding buildings and the orthogonal bulk of the existing car park.

Spanning over the entrance to the car park and fire escapes from the retail, the hotel is supported on raking columns and is clad with pre-patinated copper. Two apartment buildings are linked via single aspect maisonettes either side of a podium garden and are clad with white brick.

source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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