Tower block planned for Gloucester Docks

There are plans to build a ten storey tower block of flats at Gloucester Docks.

Rokeby Merchant Developments Ltd has submitted plans to Gloucester City Council for the restoration and development of a further phase of Bakers Quay.

The scheme would provide a total of 117 flats and includes partial demolition, restoration, development and extension of Downings Malthouse and the High Orchard Street Warehouse.

And architects working on the scheme say the have designed the building to be “unapologetic” about its height as they want to create a new landmark for Gloucester’s skyline.

If approved, it will entail the creation of a new basement level in Downings Malthouse accessed from Merchants Road to provide basement car parking and an extension.

The proposals have a bridge link to Downings Malthouse extension to provide 49 flats and 645.8 square feet of commercial floorspace on the ground and upper floors.

The development includes a new building comprising basement ground and nine upper floors on the site of the former Silo and High Orchard Street Kiln.

This comprises of car parking, a ground floor plaza, reception and accommodation linking the building to Downings Malthouse, to provide 68 flats on the ground and upper floors along with extra parking to the south of Downings Malthouse Extension.

“Significant effort has been undertaken to ensure viability and it is this balance which has confirmed the massing previously presented to the conservation and planning team,” the design and access statement reads.

“Although viability has been the initial driver for the height of the building, this has led to the opportunity to create a new landmark on the skyline of Gloucester.

“The location for such a tall building is ideal, and it is worth noting that the site adjacent to the Premier Inn had previously been identified as appropriate for a tall building.

“Once the height of the building had been established, the focus became about ensuring it sits comfortably within the surrounding urban context.

“Much like the warehouses of the docks, we have designed the building to be unapologetic about its height, and instead we have focused on ensuring that the form, materiality and overall mass are of the highest quality design.

“With that in mind, the roofline of the new building is designed such that in perspective it sits within the mass and scale of the surrounding buildings, whilst also reflecting the asymmetric nature of the Malthouse Extension gable.

“The building has been designed as a three dimensional object, with the roofscape and angled walls creating a unique streetscene from whichever angle you approach the building.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk