Estate Agents Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
People often dream of living by the sea, but at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth it is easy to see why so many people make it a reality. This unique waterfront development offers so much to both visitors and residents alike, with a huge range of shops, restaurants, bars – and of course the Spinnaker Tower, 170 metres tall and offering truly spectacular views over Portsmouth, the Solent, the Isle of Wight, and beyond.
Portsmouth is a city with strong nautical links; its natural harbour has meant that for hundreds of years “Pompey” has been home to the Royal Navy. The nickname “Pompey” is thought to have derived from shipping entering Portsmouth harbour making an entry in their logs as Pom.P. in reference to Portsmouth Point; navigational charts also use this abbreviation.
Gunwharf Quays was the first main ordnance yard for the Navy, established in the late 17th century. Ships would collect their gunpowder, cannon balls and weapons before leaving Portsmouth Harbour for action at sea. The historic dock yard is open to visitors, and attractions include HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Portsmouth boasts the birth place of Charles Dickens who was born in1812. This modest house has miraculously survived and is now preserved as a museum furnished in the style of 1809 which is when John and Elizabeth Dickens set up the first home of their married life there.
They had no idea that their eldest son would go on to become one of the most internationally famous writers popular across the world for his novels and short stories. John Dickens came to Portsmouth when his job in the Navy Pay Office was transferred from London. They stayed here until 1815 when his job demanded that he return to London. Charles Dickens only lived in Portsmouth for the first three years of his life but he returned to the town on three occasions. Once he returned to research background information for his novel ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ and on two occasions later in life when he was a famous writer to give public readings of his work. On his last visit in 1866 he tried to find his birthplace but was unsuccessful, however it is now clearly sign-posted so visitors can find it easily!
Portsmouth also has a world-renowned university, with both the Business Studies and Engineering faculties enjoying an excellent reputation.
Portsmouth benefits from very good transport links, including direct trains to London in less than 2 hours, ferries across the Channel to several of the main north coast ports in France, and a motorway network that links all of the South Coast and the Home Counties. A vibrant local economy and quality of life ensures that Portsmouth continues to be a magnet for those seeking a home by the sea or a second property.
Gunwharf Quays is a waterfront development built by Berkeley Homes about 10 years ago. They started with The Vulcan Building, Nelson’s Gate & Lock Keepers Cottage as these fortifications had become redundant and fell into decay, and demolition started to take place to allow for developments on the southern side of the site such as Vulcan Building. Nelson’s Gate, which has been retained, was built in 1803 and formed the then main entrance to the Gunwharf site, and parts of the original boundary wall extend for about six metres to the north and south of the gate. The Lock Keepers Cottage was built in 1810 and served as a guard house for the swing bridge over the central canal.
The Old Infirmary is probably the oldest building now standing at Gunwharf Quays. As the name suggests, it was a hospital for Royal Marines returning wounded from duty on board HM Ships. If you look closely there are names carved in the brickwork giving names and dates back to 1835. The Old Infirmary is on the residential side of the current Gunwharf Quays site.The Customs and Excise House or Vernon Building which is now the Customs House Pub was built in 1811 and served as the main customs post for Portsmouth Harbour.
Over the years it has become the “Number 1” destination in Portsmouth, offering a vast number of factory outlet shops including Marks & Spencer, Gap, Vans, Ralph Lauren, Gull, Bose, Karen Millen, Burberry, Bench, LK Bennett, Animal, Fat Face, Ted Baker, Hurley, Nike, Adidas, Cath Kidson, Kipling, Hobbs, Fred Perry, French connection, Guess and Jack Wills. When you have “shopped until you are ready to drop”, there is a huge choice of restaurants and bars to choose from including Brasserie Blanc, Jamie Oliver’s Italian Restaurant, Loch Fyne, Tiger Tiger, Slug & Lettuce, Nandos, Yo Sushi, Strada, Frankie & Bennys, and Wagamama. Or if you prefer, there is a bowling alley, a multiplex cinema and a casino, whilst for the yachtsman, Gunwharf Quays even has its own marina – ideally located right by the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour!
Gunwharf Quays also plays host to some of the best free entertainment in a Portsmouth including a Christmas Fair with an ice skating rink, an awesome firework display in November, a traditional French market, and a variety of arts and craft fairs – there’s something for everyone all year round!
For those who call Gunwharf Quays home, the residential sector of the development offers a safe, secure environment, with an on-site estate management team providing peace of mind to residents and visitors alike.
The Waterside Properties office is exceptionally well-placed to service the needs of sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants, and always has a good selection of apartments and houses for sale and for rent. As the only estate agent located in Gunwharf Quays, we can honestly say that no-one is better able to help you find your ideal home by the water in Portsmouth. The team at Waterside Properties Gunwharf Quays office have a wealth of experience in both selling and letting property in this location, and the prime position of our premises there mean that it is one of the busiest offices in the Waterside Network.
A development as large and varied as Gunwharf Quays means that there really is something for everybody here, which when combined with its vibrant atmosphere, great sea views, Spinnaker Tower, shops and restaurants, make it the first choice for many people to both live and relax.
