Soar Island stands as a crucial gateway in the series of developments around Leicester’s waterside. The Island sits at the meeting point of the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal, around ten minutes from the city centre; a crucial site where, historically, transport and commerce met. This competition called for new ideas of how the island could be developed as part of this waterfront transformation
For our proposal we drew from the rich industrial heritage of Leicester, a city that was once a key player in textile and hosiery production. The inextricable links between industry, community and retail combined with the importance of the riverside position to create a hub for new start-up businesses. Individual views depicting flexible studio space, waterside seating and a new market street highlighted key moments of our vision of bustling activity on the island.
Images: HK Architects