Gunwharf Quays
Encyclopedia
Gunwharf Quays is an area of Portsmouth
, Hampshire
, now home to a large shopping centre.
shore establishment HMS Vernon
, renamed HMS Nelson (Vernon Site) on March 31, 1986. In 1987, the establishment was renamed HMS Nelson (Gunwharf) although locally it continued to be known as HMS Vernon. The concept for the redevelopment was by the local firm HGP Architects
. Its very successful exploitation of its harbour-side situation (cf. Baltimore
, USA) and the sympathetic integration of old and new architecture makes an interesting contrast with past redevelopments such as the Tricorn Centre
.
s and restaurants and the Spinnaker Tower
. There is also a 14-screen Vue
cinema, a Bowlplex
bowling centre with 26 lanes, 2 bars and 13 American sized pool tables, a Jongleurs
comedy club, which turns into a nightclub past 10pm, a Tiger Tiger
nightclub, a contemporary art gallery, and a 120 bed hotel. There is also a 26 storey Skyscraper under the title Number One (aka Lipstick Tower), built to resemble a funnel. This makes a seafaring composition with the existing sail-like Spinnaker Tower
. There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants located by the waterfront with a view of shipping movements into Portsmouth Harbour.
The waterfront overlooks the Gunwharf Quays Marina which has hosted many national and international sailing events such as the Volvo Ocean Race
in Summer 2006. The marina accommodates luxurious multi-million pound superyachts and famous tall ships from around the globe.
The centre is located close to the Historic Dockyard and "Old Portsmouth
". It can be accessed quickly from Portsmouth Harbour railway station
and "the Hard" bus interchange, or via a relatively short walk from Commercial Road in the city centre.
The Berkeley Group plc was responsible for the development of Gunwharf Quays, which is now owned by Land Securities.
The area has also become an extremely affluent residential area of Portsmouth, and houses many luxurious apartment buildings.
Shops include: Jack Wills, Crew Clothing, Superdry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gant, LK Bennet, Levi Store, HMV, Next Clearance, M&S Outlet, Fat Face, White Stuff and Lacoste.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, now home to a large shopping centre.
History
The centre opened on 28 February 2001 and is located on the site of the former Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
shore establishment HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon (shore establishment)
HMS Vernon was a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy. Vernon was established on 26 April 1876 as the Royal Navy's Torpedo Branch and operated until 1 April 1996, when the various elements comprising the establishment were split up and moved to different commands.-Foundation...
, renamed HMS Nelson (Vernon Site) on March 31, 1986. In 1987, the establishment was renamed HMS Nelson (Gunwharf) although locally it continued to be known as HMS Vernon. The concept for the redevelopment was by the local firm HGP Architects
HGP Architects
HGP Architects is a firm of architects based in Fareham in Hampshire, and London. They have over 60 staff.-Major Projects:*Asda Stores*B&Q Stores*Barratts*BAA*Bognor Regis Seafront*British Gas*Carillion plc*CAA*DERA*Gunwharf Quays*Hampshire County...
. Its very successful exploitation of its harbour-side situation (cf. Baltimore
Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and iconic landmark of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the World.” The Inner Harbor is actually the end of the...
, USA) and the sympathetic integration of old and new architecture makes an interesting contrast with past redevelopments such as the Tricorn Centre
Tricorn Centre
The Tricorn Centre was a Brutalist shopping, apartment, nightclub and car park complex in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. It was designed by Owen Luder and Rodney Gordon and took its name from the site's shape which from the air resembled a Tricorne hat. Constructed in the mid-1960s, it was...
.
Centre information
The centre contains 95 designer shopping outlets as well as 25 barBar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
s and restaurants and the Spinnaker Tower
Spinnaker Tower
Spinnaker Tower is a –high landmark tower in Portsmouth, England. It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection of concepts...
. There is also a 14-screen Vue
Vue (cinema)
Vue Entertainment , formerly known as SBC International Cinemas, is a cinema company in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The company was formed in May 2003 when SBC acquired 36 Warner Village cinemas. There are now 69 Vue cinemas, with 654 screens totaling 140,500 seats, including the rebranded...
cinema, a Bowlplex
Bowlplex
Bowlplex plc is a bowling and leisure corporation that own and operate 18 "total entertainment centres" across England, Wales and Scotland.Bowlplex was formed in 1976 to acquire the Branksome Bowl, although it was not until 1984 that current Managing Director, Tracy Standish became involved with...
bowling centre with 26 lanes, 2 bars and 13 American sized pool tables, a Jongleurs
Jongleurs
Jongleurs is a chain of comedy clubs in the United Kingdom. Maria Kempinska MBE established and opened the first Jongleurs club in 1983 in Battersea, London. In 1985 Maria then met her business partner John Davy, and together they built the Jongleurs brand. The company evolved into a corporate...
comedy club, which turns into a nightclub past 10pm, a Tiger Tiger
Tiger Tiger (nightclub)
Tiger Tiger is a chain of British nightclubs owned by Novus Leisure. The chain has nine branches, located in Aberdeen, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Portsmouth...
nightclub, a contemporary art gallery, and a 120 bed hotel. There is also a 26 storey Skyscraper under the title Number One (aka Lipstick Tower), built to resemble a funnel. This makes a seafaring composition with the existing sail-like Spinnaker Tower
Spinnaker Tower
Spinnaker Tower is a –high landmark tower in Portsmouth, England. It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection of concepts...
. There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants located by the waterfront with a view of shipping movements into Portsmouth Harbour.
The waterfront overlooks the Gunwharf Quays Marina which has hosted many national and international sailing events such as the Volvo Ocean Race
Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. It is named after its current owner, Volvo...
in Summer 2006. The marina accommodates luxurious multi-million pound superyachts and famous tall ships from around the globe.
The centre is located close to the Historic Dockyard and "Old Portsmouth
Old Portsmouth
Old Portsmouth is a district of the city of Portsmouth. It is the area covered by the original town of Portsmouth as planned by Jean de Gisors. It is situated in the south west corner of Portsea Island....
". It can be accessed quickly from Portsmouth Harbour railway station
Portsmouth Harbour railway station
Portsmouth Harbour railway station is a railway station in Portsmouth, England. It is situated beside Gunwharf Quays in the city's harbour, and is an important transport terminal, with a bus interchange and ferry services to Gosport and the Isle of Wight. The station currently has four platforms:...
and "the Hard" bus interchange, or via a relatively short walk from Commercial Road in the city centre.
The Berkeley Group plc was responsible for the development of Gunwharf Quays, which is now owned by Land Securities.
The area has also become an extremely affluent residential area of Portsmouth, and houses many luxurious apartment buildings.
Shops include: Jack Wills, Crew Clothing, Superdry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gant, LK Bennet, Levi Store, HMV, Next Clearance, M&S Outlet, Fat Face, White Stuff and Lacoste.