Dandara Plans High Rise Quarry Development

One of the most surprising things about Jersey is despite its comfortable climate and tax haven status, it's never really embraced high-rise living as other places such as Monaco have, nor seen a massive population boom in recent decades. All of this could be about to change if plans to develop Westmount Quarry in St Helier get completed.

The now abandoned quarry features a 40 metre high cliff on one end of it that the architects MJP have incorporated intimately into their plan for a series of residential towers plus lower-rise buildings that are being developed by Dandara.

The project will have 200 apartments ranging from studios to two bedrooms, along with a nursing home for 60 residents and 300 metres of commercial space plus parking for 281 cars.

Taking into account the site, the towers rise out of a stepped podium with landscaping on the top of it that increases to a height of two storeys remodeling the quarry floor into an attractive outside area for residents to enjoy.

Mindful of the heights of the cliff face behind, MJP Architects has designed the towers to follow the edge of the rock face seeing them step down in height and respect the lie of the land although before construction starts, contractors will have to secure the face of the quarry.

With tall buildings a rarity in Jersey, this is particularly crucial as from a distance the scheme will appear hidden when viewed from many angles mitigating its height.

The project has already received tentative approval from local residents in St Helier. Unlike in England they get to vote on whether to approve or reject the plans, and then assuming it gets the public stamp of approval, it goes to the planning authorities as an official application where the project is now being considered.