TOWN QUAY SOUTHAMPTON

Architectural visualisations supporting the transformation of Southampton's historic waterfront.

New waterfront development in historic part of southampton.

JJV worked alongside HGP Architects and Nicolas James Group to create a series of architectural visualisations for the £200 million redevelopment of Southampton Town Quay.

The landmark waterfront scheme includes a luxury hotel, residential towers, restaurants, public spaces and an expanded marina, helping transform a historically important part of the city into a vibrant mixed-use destination. Throughout the project, our visualisations evolved alongside the design, supporting design reviews, public consultation and the planning process from early concept stages through to approval.

Client: Nicolas James Group
Architect: HGP Architects
Planning Consultant: Luken Beck
Location: Southampton Town Quay
Project Type: Mixed-Use Waterfront Regeneration
Services: Architectural Visualisation, Masterplanning CGI, Planning & Marketing Visualisation

Design Process.

A key challenge of the project was communicating the scale and ambition of the masterplan while retaining the character of Southampton's historic waterfront.

Working closely with the design team, we produced a range of exterior visualisations that showcased the relationship between the new buildings, marina and public realm. The imagery helped stakeholders, investors and the public understand how the development would reshape one of the city's most prominent waterfront locations.

Tweaking the design at each stage, producing detailed renders for consultations and reviews in order to achieve the desired look before presenting to the public for approval.

  • 460 apartments across four residential towers

  • 5-star luxury hotel (approx. 128 rooms + serviced apartments), including spa, conference facilities, bar and rooftop restaurant

  • Restaurants, food halls, retail / commercial space and public waterfront amenities

  • Expanded marina, new Red Jet ferry terminal and enhanced public realm with boardwalks and waterfront plazas

The imagery was developed in parallel with the evolving masterplan, supporting the design team through a number of key project stages.

Early visualisations helped establish scale, massing and waterfront relationships, while later iterations reflected refined architecture, materiality and public realm proposals. This iterative approach ensured consistency as the scheme developed from concept through to a fully resolved planning submission.

Working closely with HGP Architects and the wider consultant team, the CGI played an important role in communicating design intent and supporting decision-making throughout the process.

Proposed NICI Group Hotel

The masterplan includes a proposed luxury hotel operated by the NICI Group, bringing a premium hospitality offer to Southampton’s waterfront. Designed as a key anchor within the wider scheme, the hotel strengthens the development’s mixed-use credentials and supports its ambition to become a high-quality destination for residents, visitors and visitors to the city.

With strong waterfront positioning and views across the harbour, it plays an important role in activating the quay and extending activity across the day and evening economy.

Architectural visualisation is most effective when it goes beyond representation, helping to communicate the intent, atmosphere and ambition of a place.

For complex masterplans, it provides clarity around scale, context and experience, turning layered design information into a coherent and accessible visual story.