THIS is the stunning new look of the Ipswich Waterfront which will appear once one of the area's biggest developments is completed in the middle of 2009.

THIS is the stunning new look of the Ipswich Waterfront which will appear once one of the area's biggest developments is completed in the middle of 2009.

It is the Regatta Quay development that will start taking shape on the site of the former Albion Maltings site early next year.

Piling and other preparation work on the site, next to the Old Custom House, has been going on since the former Paul's maltings buildings - including the giant silo - were demolished earlier this year.

However, full-scale construction is due to get under way on site at the beginning of next month with contractors moving in next Monday

Graeme Whyte from developers City Living Properties said the first homes on the development should be ready for occupation in about 12 months' time.

He said: “We are officially launching Regatta Quay at the end of January, but we are well aware that it will be attracting a great deal of interest as it all takes shape.”

There will be more than 300 flats in the development, which includes two 14-storey tower blocks, as well as 42,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

This includes offices and a small theatre for the Red Rose Chain Theatre group.

Construction work on the development is expected to be completed by the middle of 2009 and it should be fully occupied at the same time as the neighbouring Cranfield's Mill development.

Mr Whyte said: “Everything is all systems go now.

“By the start of next year the whole site should be bustling with activity and people should be able to see things happening very fast.”

Weblink:

www.citylivingproperty.co.uk

n Is the new look for the Waterfront an improvement for Ipswich, or is the town losing its heritage? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk