East Quayside

East Quayside represents a strategic urban regeneration initiative designed to transform a formerly industrial waterfront into a vibrant, mixed-use district. The masterplan seeks to balance high-density residential and commercial spaces with a high-quality public realm that celebrates the area’s maritime heritage while creating a modern destination for work, leisure, and living. By rehabilitating the dockside edge and creating a porous connection between the water and the wider city, the development aims to become a defining feature of the regional waterfront.

The Masterplan Vision

The masterplan is rooted in the idea of a layered waterfront—a place where the hard edge of the quayside meets a softer, more accessible public realm. The primary residential blocks are positioned on the northern and eastern perimeters, maximizing views toward the basin while maintaining a respectful height profile that preserves the existing skyline. These buildings are designed with a material palette that responds to the industrial scale of the docks, using durable, weathered textures that age gracefully in a maritime environment.

Commercial and creative spaces occupy the southern fringe, creating a distinct precinct that can support a diverse tenant mix from retail and cafes to startup studios and artist workspaces. This zoning approach ensures that the residential zones remain quieter and more domestic, while the commercial area becomes a buzzing hub of activity and economic productivity.

Public Realm and Waterfront Edge

The public realm is the connective tissue of the project, defined by a series of pedestrian and cycling routes that weave through the blocks and along the water's edge. Key features include:

• The Quay Promenade: A continuous, wide walkway along the water with seating, lighting, and viewpoints that makes the basin a usable public asset.
• The Landing Piers: Two new pontoons extending into the basin, providing mooring for boats and a destination for water-based recreation.
• Plazas and Squares: Open spaces between the residential and commercial zones that host markets, events, and informal socializing.
• Pocket Parks: Small, landscaped areas that offer greenery and a break from the built environment at a human scale.

Sustainability and Ecology

Sustainability is integrated into the fabric of East Quayside at every level. The masterplan prioritizes a low-carbon approach through several key measures:

• Sustainable Drainage: A rain gardens and bioswales system manages surface water on-site, reducing runoff into the basin and creating ecological niches.
• Materials: The specification favors materials with low embodied carbon, including recycled aggregates and timber where appropriate.
• Microclimate: Building orientation and the placement of the open spaces are designed to minimize the urban heat island effect and maximize natural ventilation.
• Biodiversity: A planting scheme that uses salt-tolerant and hardy maritime species creates a resilient green infrastructure.

Economic and Community Goals

The development is positioned as an economic catalyst, creating jobs in construction, retail, and the creative industries. By offering a range of unit sizes, it attracts a diverse community of residents and businesses, preventing the area from becoming a monolithic enclave. The public realm is designed for everyone, with clear wayfinding and accessible routes that welcome visitors from across the city. East Quayside is not just a place to live or work—it is a regenerated dockside that works for the whole city.