Watermark landmark

The £80 million dining and leisure development at Southampton’s WestQuay Watermark is rapidly taking shape with the structural steelwork frame marking a construction milestone.
Developer Hammerson  which operates the WestQuay shopping mall says that during construction it is estimated that a total of 1,400 tonnes of steel, the equivalent to 100 double decker buses, will be used in the building process. And when all works are completed, a total of 536 concrete piles will have been used to hold up the structure, which if lined up would reach from Southampton to Romsey.
Since work started on site last May, construction of the leisure-led scheme is reported to have made good progress and remains on track to open later this year. Planned within the new development is a ten-screen cinema, up to 20 restaurants and a high quality public plaza, supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Work on a nearby subway beneath the inner city ringroad to create a wider pavement and improve pedestrian access has been completed and the area landscaped with trees. The dvelopers say this is the first of many improvements that will be made to the public space as part of the development.
More than 1,200 jobs are expected to be created by the development in construction and operations. Hammerson is committed to ensuring that the scheme benefits the local community. Earlier in the year, Hammerson signed an official Employment and Skills Charter with Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) and Southampton City Council, marking its commitment to creating long lasting employment, and training opportunities for the city.
The developers, together with construction company Sir Robert McAlpine is working with The Prince's Trust, helping to support young people around Southampton by providing job opportunities and routes into work, creating lasting employment and training.

Guy Wells, development manager at Hammerson, said: “We are pleased to reach this important construction milestone at WestQuay Watermark. The scheme is making great progress, and with the arrival of the steelwork , the building will really come to life.”