Changing face

Delighted to see the £85 million leisure led extension to Southampton’s city centre West Quay shopping mall is taking shape rapidly.
It seems months that the city centre has been scarred by a giant construction site, scaffolding and all the paraphernalia that goes with it. And of course, that is not over yet.
But the traditional topping out just six weeks ago and external cladding beginning to be placed brings the entire project seemingly that much closer.
It is to be known as West Quay Watermark and the developers report construction of the scheme continues to make good progress. When finished it  promises the city with a new landmark 10-screen cinema, up to 20 restaurants and a high quality public plaza, supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
For those keen on figures, the developers reckon that a 200-strong construction team has clocked up 345,000 hours pouring 37,000 tons of concrete into 536 concrete piles to form the base of the building as well as the concrete frame. Work has also been underway erecting a 1,400 tonne steel frame incorporating an impressive cantilever, to house Southampton’s first Showcase De Lux cinema, and the cladding of the building is now starting to take shape.

It is due to open by the end of the year.  Before then the Italian restaurant Carluccio’s is due to open in West Quay. The popular Italian restaurant is due to open in the summer.