THIS is the vision of a developer who hopes to transform the area around Southampton Central Railway Station in a major redevelopment project.

Southampton City Council has released the image it believes developer FI Real Estate Management (FI) could deliver in a multi-million scheme to energise the area by redeveloping the Frobisher House office block.

FI aims to provide a hotel, offices, residential units and retail space as part of its ambition plans, which are still in the early stages of development.

On its website FI said: “Our design creates an iconic development which fits seamlessly into the local authority’s masterplan for this part of the city.”

Centred around a two-tier public square, the proposals include a 144-bed hotel, 65,000sq ft offices, 225 residential units and 26,000 sq ft of A3 retail space.”

James Raspin, head of asset management office and retail at FI Real Estate Management, said: “We are currently in the early stages of developing our ideas and plans for this strategically important site but are hugely excited at the prospect of bringing our expertise to bear in Southampton. TThe project will unlock an impressive development opportunity while also enabling us to work with an incredibly forward-thinking city council to generate employment and training for local people and drive sustainable economic growth.”

According to commercial real estate information and marketing provider CoStar, the space was bought for £24.1m by Mapeley Gamma, which appointed FI as its asset manager.

Ellis Williams Architects, working on behalf of FI, had initially put up plans for the space to be occupied by a Hilton hotel on its website, but when contacted by the Daily Echo removed them.

Mike Harris, service director for growth at Southampton City Council, said: “The Nelson Gate opportunity builds on the Station Quarter public realm investment and occupies an important site adjacent to Central Station.

“It is many visitors’ first impression of the city and is a short walk from Southampton’s vibrant cultural and retail quarters.”

He added: “We are working with developers FI Real Estate Management, who, we anticipate, will be submitting a planning application later in the year.”

The Station Quarter and Western Gateway is part of seven ‘Very Important Projects’ that constitute the City Centre Master Plan, which has attracted £3bn of investment to Southampton. The others are the Cultural Quarter, Solent University, Central Shopping Area, Royal Pier Waterfront, Fruit Market and Itchen Riverside and Town Depot.