Plans go in for “multi-million” brewery redevelopment

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Plans have revealed more details about the redevelopment of a 19th century former brewery site into 96 flats with office and retail space.

Randalls has now submitted its planning application for the site, which it operated from the early 1800s until 1992.

As part of the plans, the brewery itself will be demolished to make way for five residential units.

In total, Randalls hopes to build 32 one-bedroom flats and 64 two-bedroom flats, spread across five blocks varying from three to five storeys with 74 parking spaces, as well as two retail units on the south-west of the site and office space.

Pictured: Early sketches of what the development could look like, as seen from the corner of Aquila Rd and Clare Street, if Planning approval is granted. (Axis Mason Limited)

The design statement, compiled by Axis Mason Limited, notes that the decision to redevelop the site is in line with Randalls’ future business strategy, which has identified “a requirement to relocate their current warehouse and distribution operations to a more suitable location closer to Jersey’s main harbour.”

Randalls and Axis Mason have developed the proposals following a number of pre-application discussions with the Planning Department, the Jersey Architecture Commission, Roads Committee and Parish representatives.

The site currently consists of a mix of warehouse-commercial-office and residential blocks and includes some Listed buildings which the proposals promise to “carefully restore and refurbish to provide new uses.”

Pictured: Clare House, a three-storey town house built in the mid-1800s, is the main listed building on the development site.

The main listed building is Clare House, a three-storey town house built in the mid-1800s as part of a condition for the purchase of the site when Robert Randall bought the Clare Street premises from Thomas Turner for his son, Charles Walter Randall. Clare Street Brewery, which would later become Randall’s Brewery, was established.

It is described as “an unusual survival of its kind in the area” with exposed stone walls and “important architectural detailing” on windows and doors that make it “unique." 

Randalls are planning to fully restore the house and its outbuildings and to convert it from office to form five one-bedroom residential units.

Pictured: A sketch of what the internal courtyard could look like.

Other listed buildings are found along Savile Street and Cannon street but as the architects noted, they have been neglected for years “principally due to their office and semi-industrial use” and will be rehabilitated using local materials and features. 

The design for the building sitting at the corner of Clare Street and Savile Street was revised following comments from the Architecture Commission so that it now “responds in a more contextual way by using familiar materials and shapes,” according to the Design Statement.

On the Cannon Street side, the residential blocks will have a stepped-back façade and a mansard roof on the top floor.

Pictured: Managing Director Gavin Reid said that Randalls was "delighted" to announce the move.

Commenting on the proposals last month, Managing Director Gavin Reid said Randalls was delighted to announce the move. "The proposed plans will also allow for the restoration and re-use of two listed properties within the site, namely Clare House and the adjacent former stable block," he added.

“Should planning approval be granted, it will contribute significantly towards the increased demand for new homes for our island community. It will allow us to relocate to a new warehousing and distribution centre and subsequently remove the need for a substantial volume of large commercial vehicles to access what is a predominantly residential area of town.

“This is turn, will enable substantial environmental and public realm improvements in the area and will provide a major regeneration boost St. Helier town centre as a whole.”

Lead picture: The new development as seen from the Parade Gardens (Axis Mason Limited)