New plans for £110M Fort Regent revealed

The government and Jersey Development Company have revealed updated designs for Fort Regent.

New images show how the new £110 million renovation could change the Jersey landmark and bring it back to life.

The concept of the Fort will be 'like a shopping mall', meaning it is free to enter, but will be home to tenants offering leisure activities.

Out of the 6,000 islanders surveyed about what they want to see, the most popular additions were a concert hall, dining options, 'ninja play'/climbing wall/bouldering, a cinema, a bowling alley and an arcade.

Throughout the Fort, there will be subtle nods to the site's history, ranging from the Neolithic period all the way to modern day.

The Piazza, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

The entrance will be an archway which leads into the main building, where islanders will be met by the Piazza.

The adaptable, all-weather space is designed for year-round events and activities, offering diverse possibilities, including the winter ice rink, roller skating, exhibitions and fan zones for large sporting fixtures.

The Piazza will be connected to the Garrison Rooms, which will host a mix of food and drink options, including bars, cafes and restaurants, with al fresco seating.

Entrance to the Arena, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

There will also be an Arena in the former Queen's Hall (The Rotunda), which will house big entertainment and sporting events.

The balcony can seat 900 people, with the lower level interchangeable depending on the event Jersey is hosting.

For nights of music, the Arena can hold up to 2,500 people at its maximum, with 1,600 standing.

If the standing space is turned into additional seating, for events like the orchestra or a comedy night, this drops to 1,500.

For sporting events where the majority of the bottom floor is needed, 1,100 can attend matches such as basketball, darts, boxing and netball.

, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

The Boulevard connects The Piazza to the Northern Parade, which is formed of several boxes, housing a new cinema.

It will sit under the Listed Fort Regent roof, which will be fixed, with asbestos removed in the first phase of works, which is costing £43 million.

Jersey Development Company wants to build a space, with a right-sized cinema in mind.

The current cinema on the Waterfront attracts around 150,000 to 180,000 visitors annually, yet three screens remain closed because it is too large.

The North Parade, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

Each block will house a screen with between 40 and 160 seats.

There will be 560 seats in total, four boxes, and two additional screens in the Garrison Rooms next to the bowling alley and other offerings.

Right-sizing the cinema will give the operator the chance to improve the quality of the experience for islanders, with larger seats and more room.

Three parties have been shortlisted to take over the running of the space.

On top of the cinema blocks, there will be additional space for more features in the Fort.

X-Park, East Ditch, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

Turning to the outdoors, there will be a range of activities for islanders to dabble in.

A new 'X-Park' will transform the East Ditch into a vibrant space for islanders to play in a multi-functional hub.

It will feature a 3x3 basketball court, climbing structures, slides, a parkour zone and a pump track for BMX and mountain biking.

The area will be landscaped to give it a softer appearance.

There will also be a slide and a mix of play features, including a rope bridge linking the ramparts to add to the area.

And to finish off the experience, there will be a skate park with a range of elements,  such as ledges, stairs, rails and banks, with dedicated zones depending on experience.

Sensory Park, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

In the Northern Outworks, a sensory play space will be designed for younger children but welcomes islanders of all ages and abilities.

The space will include natural play elements such as sand and water, tactile materials and interactive features to help nurture curiosity, creativity and imaginative play.

There will also be a 'gentle adventure' area with climbing spaces, slides, trampolines, a cave and a lookout point.