Southampton Builds for the Future

Southampton is a busy port city on the South Coast of England. The port handles over 40 million tonnes of cargo a year and is a key centre of the cruise ship industry. In recent years it has undergone huge change and is now a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that bears comparison with many of the best in Europe. This change is ongoing, and with further residential and commercial property developments underway or in the pipeline, Southampton is an increasingly attractive location in which to live and work.
 
Southampton has a rich history which is reflected in the medieval buildings that survive in the Old Town. While this heritage is something Southampton is proud of, it is also a modern, forward looking city that is building for the future. Over the past few years a multi-million pound programme of redevelopment has begun to transform the waterfront and the surrounding area.

This includes Ocean Village, a mixed-use development on the site of Southampton’s oldest dock which has been redeveloped as a marina comprising residential, business and leisure properties. These include cinemas, wine bars and serviced offices making Ocean Village one of Southampton’s leading leisure destinations and an ideal spot to locate a business.

Other major projects, like WestQuay, have enhanced Southampton’s reputation as a premier retail destination which is ranked among the top ten in the UK. Situated in the heart of the city, the WestQuay complex contains close to a hundred shops spread over three floors. Other popular shopping attractions are the Bargate Centre, the East Street Shopping Centre and the Marlands Centre which are all in the city centre.

These developments have taken place over the past decade or so, and on their own constitute a major investment in Southampton’s future. The work hasn’t stopped there however and the ongoing regeneration extends beyond the city centre, reflecting Southampton’s ambition to build a first-class city. Redevelopment of the Cultural Quarter and the Old Town are further transforming Southampton, while plans to redevelop other key areas are finally becoming a reality.

This building for the future, alongside Southampton’s continuing importance as a major South Coast port, is positioning the city as one of the UK’s premier business centres with links to Europe and beyond. With ongoing developments providing a superb range of commercial property and two universities providing an educated and skilled workforce, there may never have been a better time to invest in this vibrant city.