St Helena : ARCHITECTS ON ST HELENA ISLAND Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 11.08.2012 (Article Archived on 25.08.2012)
Two teams of architects will be arriving on 23 August to help St Helena Government and Enterprise St Helena deliver a vision for some of the Island’s most important sites.
ARCHITECTS ON ST HELENA ISLAND
Two teams of architects will be arriving on 23 August to help St Helena Government and Enterprise St Helena deliver a vision for some of the Island’s most important sites.
The two architectural practices, MWAI Architects from London and PLC Architects from Portsmouth, will provide design and master planning advice across a number of properties on St Helena, while keeping in line with the Sustainable Economic Development Plan.
Stuart Planner, Commercial Property Director of Enterprise St Helena said:
“We have appointed Architects who have demonstrated real passion for the Island and an understanding of the Island’s built and natural heritage, whilst having an eye on the work needed to provide the buildings and facilities needed to attract high value tourists.”
His Excellency, Governor Capes added:
“This visit is an early step in the process of unlocking the great potential that exists in St Helena to develop tourism, to attract inward investment, to create employment and to grow the Island’s economy.”
During the teams’ week long stay on the Island a series of meetings are planned with key stakeholders in the areas being looked at. These include immediate works like the remodelling and refurbishment of Jamestown Market (to provide a modern venue for the sale of local produce) and the provision of a new Library and Archive in the former PWD Store on the Grand Parade. Longer term works will also be considered, such as the seafront from West Rocks to Banks' Battery, showing how the Jamestown Wharf can transition from a working port to a leisure and tourism destination - and the opportunities which spring up in Ruperts Bay once the Bulk Fuel Installation is moved.
Other considerations are:
· A masterplan for the area surrounding and relating to Longwood House, including Bertrand's Cottage, the Dairy Farm, and the Green.
· The re-use of 1-3 Main Street, possibly as a hotel development.
· The re-use of some of the older historic Chief Secretary houses as tourism accommodation.
· The re-use and re-invigoration of some of the underused community centres.
· The creation of an investment centre.
The visions, concepts and master plans will take a few months to prepare, and will be used to promote the potential of St Helena both locally and internationally.
SHG
10 August 2012
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