PROPERTY fund manager, Highcross, has unveiled plans for a major new business development at its 100-acre Lakeside North Harbour site at Portsmouth.

The proposals involve around 750,000sqft of new office space, including a series of “iconic” office buildings alongside the scheme’s 14-acre lake.

Also proposed are a landmark hotel at a new eastern entrance to the site and a prestige car dealership. An outline planning application has been submitted for the future development of the site, which currently houses the 1000 Lakeside office building and IBM’s UK headquarters.

At the heart of the development will be a new central square in front of 1000 Lakeside, flanked by two new office buildings with a tented events area in the centre. Also proposed is the creation of a new Lakeshore Drive roadway, to provide vehicle access to the new lakeside offices and The Boardwalk, a pedestrian/cycle route which would stretch from 1000 Lakeside to the eastern edge of the site where it will link with existing footpaths and cycle ways.

In total, the proposals comprise almost one million sq ft of development, including the new office schemes, a 70,000sqft hotel and conference centre and facilities for businesses located at the site, ranging from small shops and restaurants to a new medical centre.

Highcross has owned the North Harbour site since 2005 and, earlier this year, launched its 1000 Lakeside office scheme, following a major refurbishment programme, including the installation of a new atrium.

The proposals also include two wind turbines to contribute energy to the whole site, plus options for ground-source and air-source heat pumps for the buildings and combined heat and power units and solar heating for the hotels. Highcross technical director, Keith Woods, said: “The new central square at the front of the 1,000 Lakeside building will become the core of a vibrant, exciting community, set within an attractive environment.”