start of content
Blackfriars
A new cultural and creative quarter that expands the city centre.
The Blackfriars project will create an important new public square surrounded by speciality shops, a new flagship hotel, the revitalised Blackfriars Priory and nearby office and commercial developments.
Blackfriars Square will link to, and integrate, the city centre, the Cathedral, the Docks and the ‘rediscovered’ frontages of the River Severn and Westgate Quay. It will also be a major city destination and visitor attraction in its own right.
Site description
Blackfriars and Westgate Quay forms a large regeneration area in the south-west quadrant of the city centre, located between Southgate, Westgate, the Docks and the River Severn. Blackfriars Priory, which is a substantial monastic building of national importance, is the principal feature of the site, but it is currently closed to the public and virtually unused.
Outputs
- 1.1 ha of brownfield land reclaimed
- 4,000 sq m comparison retail
- 5,000 sq m bars and restaurants
- 300 new homes
- 1,500 new jobs
- 18,000 sq m offices
- 5,500 sq m hotel
- £135m private sector leverage
English Heritage supports and is ready to invest in Blackfriars Priory and awaits proposals for its future uses from the Gloucester Heritage URC.
Dr Simon Thurley
Chief Executive
English Heritage
Can you please post all the new information presented at the open days on this site; presumably someone had the forethought to video it? Also can plans, picutres, drawings, timelines et al be placed on the site? And can someon e please answer the questions posted here? Failing this, sadly you may as well close down the site!
Posted on 4/May/2008
Posted on 22/Apr/2008
With the ‘University of Gloucestershire’ decision of re-location of specific departments from Cheltenham to Gloucester, this is a major coup for the city and will fit well with what’s planned for the area and again help with the general vibrancy and evening economy. I’ve heard mention a student village could be built, this could be placed within the canal corridor perhaps, along with a rejuvenated cycle/pedestrian pathway alongside the canal into the city passing through the quays and docks areas then up into Blackfriars and the city centre.
I hear there is a possibility that Gloucester Prison could be de-commissioned in the long term future. This would allow potential re-development to take place; one use perhaps would to convert this Victorian prison into a hotel, much like what Malmaison chain have done in Oxford with great effect. This maybe would allow a quality sized square between the older prison buildings and the river waterfront. Perhaps tourist information boards could be placed with detailing historic info and pictures of the once Gloucester Castle!?!
Much in favour of the downgrading of the quay road, this will allow much more pedestrian footfall from Westgate Street through to the docks and quays areas as with the planned four routes recently announced. Can we expect the raised walkway over Alney Island between the Castlemead’s car park and the quay being upgraded at all?
What with the city council re-locating, the four star hotel, public squares and boutique shopping, this really promises to be class developed area of re-generation linking the city into the docks and adjoining quays areas.
Look forward to the plans coming to fruition and actual work commencing as this looks like a complex phased development.
Posted on 22/Apr/2008
Posted on 30/Jan/2008
Posted on 27/Jan/2008