The first occupiers have begun to move into a prominent 64-home apartment block in the heart of Bournemouth town centre.
The opening of The Citrus Building, a £12 million development overlooking Horseshoe Common, has been hailed as the latest success with Bournemouth Council’s long-term Town Centre Vision regeneration initiative.
Delivered by Vision partner The Bournemouth Development Company (BDC), the colourful, five-storey building features a mix of one, two and three-bedroom contemporary apartments with prices starting at £125,000. Penthouse accommodation includes a 1,000 sq ft roof terrace.
Ahead of handover, more than 85% of the properties have been sold or reserved with substantial take-up by first-time buyers aided through the government’s Help to Buy scheme.
Councillor John Beesley, Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “Attracting new residents, including first-time buyers, to come and live in the heart of Bournemouth is a key strand of the Town Centre Vision. The Citrus Building is an impressive, architecturally imaginative development that substantially enhances the area around Horseshoe Common. It complements the public realm improvements we have been making nearby, including a modern street layout, fresh open space and new street furniture, designed to revitalise this prominent location.”
Duncan Johnston, BDC Development Director, said: “The Citrus Building and other residential projects in the pipeline are all about helping to accelerate the delivery of much needed new homes, meaning more people can live in Bournemouth town centre in high-quality accommodation.”
Among the first occupiers are Lorraine Williams, a dental nurse at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and her husband David, who works in telecoms. The couple have bought a one-bedroom flat. David said: “We looked at lots of apartments but nothing touched what we have here. It is perfect for us and the building is beautiful, modern and vibrant.”
The Citrus Building, which is in Madeira Road, is so-called because of its bright, fresh exterior colour scheme of orange, yellow and green along with its curvy shape.
An operator is expected to be announced shortly for a 290 sq m (3,120 sq ft) restaurant space on the building’s ground floor.
The Bournemouth Development Company is a 50/50 public-private partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments. The aim is to deliver improvements to Bournemouth town centre without impacting on council tax. Under the partnership, the Council invests land assets including car parks when development is imminent. The assets investment is matched in cash value by Morgan Sindall Investments. Both partners maintain a 50% share in the assets, the partnership and the profits arising, with the share of profits reinvested in new sites, infrastructure and open spaces. The Bournemouth Development Company will look to develop sites through a more holistic approach over the next 20 years, the projected life of the partnership. For more information, visit www.bournemouthdevelopmentcompany.com.
Scott Sinclair
