CentralInvestment Prospectus

Douglas

isle of man

A Bright future Douglas Town Centre has a bright future.

It is the Capital of a vibrant, confident, and

successful Island state and has exceptional

growth potential. There is land available for

exciting new developments. There is a vision to

enhance heritage townscape and to add world

class buildings and spaces. People will delight

in the town – both locals and visitors alike –

enjoying its quality of life and sense of place.

the entrepreneurial spirit comes first on The Isle

of Man and the future development of Douglas

Central will be delivered by many people.

This is a vision championed by Government but

delivered by many hands. Private investment

is key. The investment prospectus showcases

the unique development and investment

opportunities in Douglas Central.

Be part of an exceptional future for Douglas

Town Centre.

Chief Minister 3

futureA bright

Douglas Town Centre is already a great place.

It is the Capital of a vibrant, confident, and

successful Island state and has an economy that

continues to grow. However, there is untapped

growth potential, with new land available for

exciting, fresh developments. There is a vision

to enhance heritage townscape and to add

world class buildings and spaces. People will

delight in the town – both locals and visitors alike

– enjoying the quality of life and sense of place.

The entrepreneurial spirit comes first on the Isle

of Man and the future development of Douglas

Central will be delivered by many people.

This is a vision championed by Government but

delivered by many hands; private investment

is key. The investment prospectus showcases

the unique development and investment

opportunities in Douglas Central.

Be part of an exceptional future for this

exceptional Capital Town.

Front cover image courtesy of Janice Farnan.

Freedom to flourish inDouglas Central

In the investment prospectus we wi l l…

Establish the context of a thriving Isle of Man

Set out the vision for Douglas Central

Identify the key ingredients to future success

Describe the approach to change in key parts

of the town centre

Invite you to be part of these bold plans

Location:The centre of the Irish Sea, 31miles from both Ireland and the U.K.Size: 221 sq. miles (33 miles long by 13 miles wide)Population: 84,500 (2011 Census), with a density of 226 people per sq.milesCapital: DouglasThe Isle of Man has a distinct cultural and political identity.It is a land of opportunity where people and business can reach their full potential. The Island was rated 8th in the world by the World Bank in terms of the national income per person (2012).

Douglas has a lot to offer:

A growing population of over 85,000 people with continued forecast growth

Highly economically active residents of working age

A busy Island Sea Port

Only a short 18 -20 minute drive from the Airport

A 5 minute drive from enchanting open countryside

The Isle of Man is a unique place and as the

Capital, Douglas is a focus for Island life. It

provides a cultural and visitor destination

as well as the premier location of Island

shopping, eating and drinking. It is a

gateway to the Island from the seas and its

quayside, promenade and beach create a

special character. The key strengths of the

town are the starting points for the work

ahead, which is already gathering momentum

through recent Government and private

investments.

Key

FACTS

Isle of Man Successful business environment

supported by Government

High regulatory standards, and

a commitment to financial and

supervisory standards

Well connected with frequent flights

to and from Europe & rest of world

Excellent quality of life on an Island of

outstanding natural beauty

Financial Support for those relocating

or starting a new business

There is still much to do, but we build on firm

foundations.

Compared to global trends, the Isle of Man

has performed exceptionally well over the last

30 years and has enjoyed unbroken growth.

The Island has many benefits for businesses

and residents locating here.

Political & economical stability

Diverse economy, with growth in

emerging sectors

Clear & simple tax regime, and

international tax agreements

A thriving

A BOLD VisionDouglas will be a place for all to be proud of. An economically strong, dynamic destination and

the world class Capital Town ‘where you can’. The gateway to the Island, where the wealth of

opportunities and activities provide all the freedom to flourish and enjoy Island life.

The NextChapter

An exciting place to invest and do business A thriving town centre & shopping destination

A well connected and accessible town centre

An attractive & engaging place to spend time A distinctive and sustainable Capital Town

Help us build our SuccessThis investment prospectus is a call to action for

everyone interested in enhancing Douglas Central

and supporting growth and development within the

town centre. This is not about starting from scratch.

Delivery is well underway across many projects and

the conditions for growth are now very favourable.

Our feeling is that the time is right to secure a

step-change in development in Douglas. The key

ingredients are:

• Availableland,withinGovernmentcontrol, which can lead transformational change. Private sector partners and delivery structures are being considered to maximise the regeneration. It is unusual to have land available for development in the heart of the town at prominent locations.

• Strongpoliticalleadershipbasedarounda clear vision for what is to be achieved. This is a vision and not a blueprint. The Government wants to work positively with private investors and developers to achieve success for all.

• Agrowingeconomyandrobustfinancialposition. The Isle of Man is an enviable business location which has outperformed through the worst of the recent recession providing a place where people want to be and invest.

• Anattractivelocationforbusinessesand investors to locate through a simple tax regime with no Capital Gains Tax, Withholding Taxes or Wealth Taxes.

• Anexcellentplacetolive,accesstoahigh performing education system, a comprehensive health service and a range of high quality residential properties to suit all needs.

Villa Marina Gateway

The Promenade

Strand Street

St George’s

The Fort

The Quayside

Riverside Gateway

Maritime Gateway

Project types: (using Strand Street area example)

Development project within character area

Movement project within character area

Public Realm project within character area

Area with potential for change (Riverside Gateway only)

Potential area of public space(Riverside Gateway only)

Existing Planned Public Realm Enhancement

Principal Link

Maritime Gat

eway

The F ort

Riverside Gateway

St Georges

The

Prom

enad

e

The Quayside

Villa

Mar

ina

Gat

eway

Stra

nd S

tree

t

Stra

nd S

tree

t

Mar

ket S

tree

t

Loch

Pro

men

ade

Victoria Street

Duk

e St

reet

Lord Street

Para

de S

treet

Bath Place

Athol Street

Lake Road

South Quay

North QuayBanks Circus

Circular Road

Finc

h Ro

ad

Cast

le S

tree

tM

arin

a Ro

ad

Back

Mar

ina

Road

Bucks Road

Prospect Hill

Castletown RoadCENTRAL DOUGLAS MASTERPLANMasterplan Projects

Scale: 1:5,000@A3Reviewed by: AC

Job: 6559Drawing: SP(90)15E

0 100m

Copyright and database right 2014.

Villa Marina Gateway

The Promenade

Strand Street

St George’s

The Fort

The Quayside

Riverside Gateway

Maritime Gateway

Project types: (using Strand Street area example)

Development project within character area

Movement project within character area

Public Realm project within character area

Area with potential for change (Riverside Gateway only)

Potential area of public space(Riverside Gateway only)

Existing Planned Public Realm Enhancement

Principal Link

Maritime Gat

eway

The F ort

Riverside Gateway

St Georges

The

Prom

enad

e

The Quayside

Villa

Mar

ina

Gat

eway

Stra

nd S

tree

t

Stra

nd S

tree

t

Mar

ket S

tree

t

Loch

Pro

men

ade

Victoria Street

Duk

e St

reet

Lord Street

Para

de S

treet

Bath Place

Athol Street

Lake Road

South Quay

North QuayBanks Circus

Circular Road

Finc

h Ro

ad

Cast

le S

tree

tM

arin

a Ro

ad

Back

Mar

ina

Road

Bucks Road

Prospect Hill

Castletown RoadCENTRAL DOUGLAS MASTERPLANMasterplan Projects

Scale: 1:5,000@A3Reviewed by: AC

Job: 6559Drawing: SP(90)15E

0 100m

Copyright and database right 2014.

Character

A Vision for the Douglas Central area has emerged;

this aims to connect the town centre and capitalise

on the potential. To help communicate this vision

we’ve looked at Douglas Central as a number of

areas, each with a range of investment opportunities

that can help deliver the next chapter in the

development of Douglas.

The character areas include:

The Fort

Strand Street

Villa Marina Gateway

Riverside Gateway

The Quayside

Maritime Gateway

St George’s

The Promenade

Areas

17

THE FORT

This area is focussed on a collection of prominent vacant sites under

government ownership within the heart of the town. Together, sites

at Lord Street, Parade Street, Middlemarch and Cambrian Place

provide a unique regeneration opportunity to radically develop this

part of town. The government will lead regeneration by delivering

(with appropriate partners) exceptional development on its land. But

this project is about a coordinated effort. This involves all ownership

interests and the public realm which links these sites. A new

landmark public space is proposed, as is a winter garden. These will

provide places to linger and relax throughout the year.

The Fort will be a mixed use opportunity with uses appropriate to a

dynamic town centre. The conversation on uses will be ongoing, but

ideas so far are primarily based on leisure including, a hotel, cinema,

visitor centre, new retail and multi-storey car parking. Other ideas

may be equally appropriate. Links with Strand Street via Fort Street

and to the Maritime Gateway via Bath Place are key.

19

STRAND STREET

The vision for Strand Street is to enhance Douglas’

principal shopping street and grow the retail offer

through new development opportunities. Government

is already investing to enhance the quality of the public

realm along Strand Street. Recent investments in high

quality retail have broadened the shopping experience.

But there is more to do and the government will support

well-planned schemes which deliver high quality and

appropriate retail along Strand Street, utilising land and

sites along its length. Larger floor plan retail units will

be supported with a wide range of options possible for

integrating new shops in this area. The town centre

Masterplan details some of these projects which include

better connections east-west across Strand Street

linking upper and Lower Douglas.

Image of Regent Street from Strand Street showing completed regeneration works.

20

VILLA MARINA GATEWAY

Action in this area should focus on high quality cultural

activities, supporting and improving existing facilities.

Villa Marina and the Gaiety Theatre are integral to this.

Activities and uses which complement and contribute

to the cultural identity and vitality of this area will be

supported. This could include galleries, places to eat

and drink and boutique retailing. The environmental

quality of the area will be improved, making more of Villa

Marina Gardens, improving the evening environment and

strengthening connections to the Promenade.

23

RIVERSIDE GATEWAY

The Riverside Gateway has the potential to create a

new arrival point for Douglas with a more distinctive

and attractive riverside setting. A new bridge link is

proposed to connect Old Castletown Road and Lake

Road and this could take the form of a pedestrian

/ cycle bridge or a new piece of strategic highway

providing full vehicular access to the town centre. The

latter would bring with it an opportunity to improve traffic

access and circulation in this part of the town.

A mix of uses, including residential, will be appropriate

and the emerging planning framework for this area (Area

Plan for the East) would inform this. Ideas around land

uses which have been explored, but not confirmed

through the masterplan have focused principally on this

area as playing an important supporting and servicing

role for the town centre. At this stage no definitive mix is

prescribed or approved.

The amenity of the river is also important to recognise

and recent residential development nearby will provide

a flavour of the new uses for this area. The new

bridge would enhance access into town and any new

development must create a fitting gateway. Walking

and cycle links to the north-west connecting sports and

education facilities are also important.

25

THE QUAYSIDE

Activity in this area is focused in the first instance on supporting the

continued growth of the evening economy and evening activities

along North Quay, with a longer term ambition for South Quay

to evolve into a new residential area for the town. North Quay

already benefits from an improved environment with many thriving

businesses. South Quay requires coordinated action to improve

environmental quality and to relocate some uses to other more

appropriate sites in the longer term.

This will be a calm and planned process and will be undertaken in

partnership with business and landholding interests. The operational

harbour and Quayside will be the centre-piece and more visitor

mooring should be provided to capture new spend. More people

living, enjoying and spending leisure time in this reinvigorated

quayside will be the sign of success.

27

MARITIME GATEWAY

The sea terminal in Douglas is an iconic building which has

acted as the gateway to the Island for many years. Through the

masterplanning of the town and the future growth and ambition

of the port operation it has become clear that there is a bold

opportunity in this area. The creation of a new maritime gateway

is the concept, which brings together an enlarged operational port,

a new cruise liner berth and a new state of the art sea terminal

building. In addition there will be an opportunity for substantial new

commercial development in this area, which could include a range of

new uses.

Early suggestions include a penthouse restaurant and bar, a

high level viewing platform / venue, a boutique hotel, residential

opportunities and business space. The new development would be

as iconic as the one it replaces providing one of the greatest urban

design and architectural projects the Island will have seen. This

would be a transformational development.

29

ST GEORGE’S

Action here should support investment and growth in the principal

business and Government / Civic district. Development activity will

be set against rationalisation of government office space and the

changing commercial office market / need. A more flexible approach

will be considered, recognising that the primary role of this area will

continue to be as a place to work and do-business, but that other

uses may equally be of value. Residential development in this area

will bring more people to the area for longer.

The development of vacant and underutilised opportunity sites will

be encouraged to promote a more vibrant and distinctive place.

Landscape improvements to the area would focus around St.

George’s Church.

Image courtesy of Janice Farnan.

30Image courtesy of Gary Harrison.

THE PROMENADE

The promenade is a distinctive part of the town.

Government is investing to enhance the public

experience along the Promenade through regeneration

works. This includes improved surfaces, lighting

and better connectivity into the town. There will be

opportunities to enhance the quality of the place through

existing and new developments (and businesses), which

edge and define the Promenade. In addition there may

be opportunities for ‘pop-up’ venues such as cafes and

bars along the promenade to add more life to this area

through summer months and busier periods. Creative

and innovative ideas are welcomed for this area.

Image courtesy of Janice Farnan.

Douglas Central is a key part of government’s plans.

There is firm resolve to deliver transformational change.

This will be delivered in partnership with private sector

investors, developers and stakeholders. In fact it will

be the energy, entrepreneurship and creativity of private

investors and developers that will carry forward the

vision for Douglas Central. Government wants to deliver

the very best and work with the very best. If you want to

be part of the vision please contact:

Andy Bostock

Development Manager

Andy.Bostock@gov.im

01624 687 361

For further information on the Island please visit

www.whereyoucan.com

www.visitisleofman.com

Be part of these bold plans