There continue to be a high demand for property in Gibraltar and developers, Hepta Ltd. have recently unveiled proposals for a multi-use development right at the very gateway to the city centre.

To be situated at Devil’s Tongue, a name given to the heavily fortified spit of land stretching out into the Bay from what was once Gibraltar’s western shore line, the high rise building will involve alterations to the local infrastructure as well as the contruction of a multi-storey building.

The substantial infrastructure works included within the design propose the widening of Devil’s Tongue and the realigning of the highway, which the developers hope will improve traffic flow. In the design statement, the architects point out that: “the concept is to repurpose the site and setting to ensure better traffic flow.”

The design has been presented by 1508 London and represents a maximisation of land use as well as the modernisation of one of Gibraltar’s busiest road systems. The development includes apartments and offices, along with parking facilities, cafés, restaurants and residential storage. The apartments will be of various sizes, with upper storey apartments benefiting from views from three aspects per apartment, while the penthouses will enjoy 360-degree panoramic views, private gardens and a pool.

A landscaped, green area is set to be created to connect the counterguard and old city walls - which will also be planted and landscaped - to the development, creating new pedestrian access to the city centre. With consideration for the local community’s use of the development, public amenities including a park are included in the plans for the ground and podium levels, which will be open to the public.

As would be expected in an ambitious project in the twenty-first century, the plans for the development take into account Gibraltar’s increasing concern regarding environmental issues. The design statement affirms that the development will include systems of solar energy to enhance energy savings and ensure the building meets environmental standards. This in itself will contribute towards Gibraltar’s steady improvements in reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.

A construction project that is expected to increase the supply of much-needed residential and office accommodation in Gibraltar, this development at Devil’s Tongue is currently working its way through the process of obtaining planning permission and has attracted much interest by investors and the local community alike.