PLANS for a major Waterfront development may have to be rethought after a café earmarked for demolition was listed as a Grade 2 building.
The Jersey Development Company unveiled proposals for a multi-million pound redesign of the Waterfront area around Jardins de la Mer, including 1,000 flats, a new leisure complex and an amphitheatre.
However, the planned scheme had no space for the La Frègate café, which would have been removed.
But, the upturned-boat, which was built in 1997 and is one of the earliest works by Stirling-Prize-winning architect Will Alsop, has now been granted listed status following a campaign from the Twentieth Century Society – a UK-based charity which campaigns to save outstanding modern buildings and design.
And while the listing does not necessarily mean that the café cannot be demolished, it does make it more unlikely for planning permission to be granted if the JDC does not alter its proposals.
JDC chief executive Lee Henry has previous indicated that the developers could look into whether La Frégate could be moved elsewhere if it were to be listed.
La Frégate was based on a conceptual design by Mr Alsop, of Alsop and Störmer, whose buildings have received many awards, including the Stirling Prize, the RIBA Regional Award for Architecture, and the Civic Trust Award. Derek Mason of the Jersey-based Mason Design Partnership, delivered the design, working with John Leveridge
Jersey Heritage, as the government’s adviser on the special interest of buildings and places, reviewed the proposal for listing that was submitted earlier this year by Save Jersey’s Heritage, with the support and advice of UK charity, the Twentieth Century Society.
In its report, Jersey Heritage says the building has special architectural interest because:
• The unique exterior of the building is of special interest for its architectural design, and it could be argued that La Frégate has become a landmark building, enhancing its architectural interest;
• The interiors are thoughtful and contemporary;
• The design of the building is innovative and by a known and respected architect.
A grade 2 listed building is defined as one that is of special public and heritage interest to Jersey, being important, high quality examples of a particular historical period, architectural style, building type or archaeological site, that are either substantially unaltered or whose alterations contribute to the special interest
An appeal, to the Environment Minister, against the listing of the building can still be made.
