Sovereign Bay, Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a narrow peninsula linked to Spain by a slender sandy isthmus. The International Airport is built on this flat area, and the frontier with Spain is to the North. The current harbour is a naval base on the Western side, with the Eastern side made up of sheer cliffs, reaching a maximum height of 426 metres and sandy beaches forming the perimeter. The site of the proposed marina development is on an existing area of reclaimed land to the East of the Rock. It will benefit from a dramatic landside gateway, just five minutes away from the airport, as well as a striking water-side entrance via the marina.

The environmental strategy will capitalise on the depth of the sea around the peninsula, by using seawater to cool the buildings, while rainwater from the Rock will be stored and recycled. The harbour, engineered to take a one-hundred-year storm with a 6-metre high wave, will accommodate a cruise liner terminal, as well as space for yachts and boats. The marina arm will be the focus for retail, café and restaurant life, with a luxury residential development on the land-side. Built for flexibility, there is potential for future expansion with the addition of an extra arm and another lagoon.

Apartments will feature private swimming pools, terraces and sea views. The 6-storey building height on the sea-front, ensures that the masterplan will take advantage of the dramatic outlook available from every corner of the site. Two beaches on either side of the area will be regenerated, and a spa and boutique hotel will nestle at each end. The harbour will reconnect with the central urban piazza. Parking is underground, yet has natural daylight, and direct pedestrian entrances up into the shopping zone. These will provide a plethora of leisure facilities, such as swimming pools and tennis courts, and will be surrounded by the sophisticated shoppers’ paradise of boutiques and designer retail outlets.



Client: M.C.B. (Multiplex, Chelsfield, Bloomfield)
Consultants: Yolles, Battle McCarthy, FPD Savills, Gleeds, Halcrow, Marrache and Co, Systematica, Warner Land Surveys