The architect who designed the new V&A museum in Dundee, Kengo Kuma, has shown his support towards the plans for a mixed use development north of the site.
“My building was always designed to complement and harmonise with its surroundings and the adjacent developments,” said Kengo Kuma, author and professor at the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Tokyo. “It was never designed in isolation and was always meant to be part of a built environment with a flow of people and buildings with other uses in proximity.”
The council has also revealed that Marriott Hotels is in line to operate the new four stars plus hotel proposed as a development. Out of the three expressions of interest submitted, Marriott’s seemed to be the most favourable in financial and quality terms. The site will see the construction of a 150 bedroom upscale, full service hotel, with restaurant, bar, meeting/conference facilities, and gym.
“The mixed use development at site six has always included proposals for a high quality new hotel at what is a uniquely prestigious location that offers a prime opportunity to add to our top class hotel facilities,” explained Lynne Short, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee. “An international, design-led hotel of this high level of prestige is essential if the city is to maximise the tourism potential of the V&A from both leisure and business visitors.”
The proposed hotel development will have around 120 full time posts on offer and a further 260 construction jobs during the building process. Further plans will be discussed by the city development committee on Monday, the 26th of February.
The mixed use developments gained planning permission in June last year and t comprises a hotel, office space, residential and ground floor spaces, which will be suitable for leisure, food & drink, and retail users.
