‘ICONIC’ lettering which once sat above the entrance to Cyril Le Marquand House is to be preserved within a new development in town.
Andium Homes have revealed that the large stonework blocks will be relocated to its Ann Court site near the Jersey Arts Centre, where 165 properties are being built.
The development will also be named Cyril Le Marquand Court in recognition of the former politician, who died in 1980.
The social-housing provider said its desire to retain the lettering was prompted by a JEP article in January, in which the joint-president of the Association of Jersey Architects, Alison Horton, said the concrete panels should be preserved.
Demolition work on Cyril Le Marquand House, which is due to become the new government headquarters, started last year – with the scheme scheduled to be completed by summer 2024.
Mr Le Marquand served as a Senator and also became President of the Finance and Economics Committee.
Mrs Horton said: ‘I’m delighted – it’s great news and an example of what good architecture is.’
She added: ‘It’s a purposeful re-use, and if you think about Cyril Le Marquand, it has added longevity to the story.
‘It’s a really good way of retaining the iconic lettering and adding cultural value.’
Art-and-design consultant Chris Clifford, who founded the Private & Public art dealership and who also spoke out in the JEP article in January, will work with architects Axis Mason to help integrate the original lettering – currently being stored at Andium’s nearby gas works site – into the development.
Andium spokesperson Carl Mavity said: ‘We are extremely proud that we have been able to continue to recognise such an important and influential Jerseyman by naming our new development Cyril Le Marquand Court.’
He added: ‘Retaining the original Cyril Le Marquand House stonework from the former government headquarters building retains an important part of the Island’s history and we are looking forward to it being installed at Cyril Le Marquand Court towards the end of the development work.’
The project is due to be completed in mid-2023 and also includes a 137-space underground public car park, which is being delivered by Andium in collaboration with the government.
