Southampton Nightclubs Turned Into Flats
2 December 2013, 09:11 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
£5 million work has started on turning two old nightclubs in Southampton into flats.
'New York, New York' and 'McCluskey's Bar' in Queensway shut back in 2005.
The scheme neighbours the ‘Fruit and Vegetable Market’ VIP Project, part of Southampton’s City Centre Master Plan, one of seven key areas for development in the city. This is the first new development within the market district and is championed by the council as a catalyst for the regeneration of the immediate area.
The city council has worked with Raglan Housing to provide a new affordable housing development of 44 affordable homes on Queensway, in the fruit and vegetable market area of Southampton’s Old Town.
The start on site, which was marked by the demolition of the former ‘New York, New York’ night club and ‘McClusky’s Bar’, was attended by members of Southampton City Council, Raglan staff, local suppliers and directors of contractors PMC Construction Ltd.
Raglan is working in partnership with Southampton City Council and PMC Construction Ltd to deliver the £5 million new housing scheme which will offer a mix of 32 homes for affordable rent and 12 properties for shared ownership. These will include seven family-sized, four-storey, four-bedroom town houses; three two-storey, two-bedroom mews houses; 34 one- two- and three-bedroom flats and a ground floor retail unit.
Jonathan Layzell, Assistant Director of Business Development for Raglan Housing said:
“We’re delighted to be starting the construction of these much-needed homes which will not only help meet the shortage of affordable housing for local people in the city centrebut create a thriving community which will play a vital role in the regeneration of Southampton’s old town.
"We also hope that our shared ownership homes will give first time buyers and families who are unable to afford the high property prices in the city an opportunity to get their foot on the property ladder and own a home of their own in an ideal central location.”
The economical-to-run homes will have energy-saving features such as photovoltaic solar panels, heat recovery systems and high levels of insulation.
Councillor Warwick Payne, Southampton City Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability, said:
"I'm delighted that Raglan’s Queensway project will kick start the regeneration of a key site which is part of the council’s long term masterplan for the city centre. In addition with more than 14,000 people on Southampton's social housing waiting list, there will be a clear demand for these 44 new homes."
