The
Merchants Quay development involves a new dock side building in the heart of a
conservation area. As a centrepiece in the docks the design has under gone
intense scrutiny by an array of local and national bodies. The scheme consists
of 48 apartments in two blocks on the upper floors accessed by an intervening
timber deck and core, the ground floor being restaurants, bars and cafés to
service the public space around. The external materials have been designed to
complement the surrounding buildings; these include stack bonded brickwork,
timber cladding and galvanised steel metalwork. The timber boarded gable ends
with galvanised steel framed timbered sliding shutters give a contemporary
industrial feel while preserving the character of conservation area.