A developer has unveiled plans to transform part of Southampton's skyline by building a 20-storey tower block overlooking the city's main railway station.
Cavendish & Gloucester has drawn up proposals to provide purpose-built accommodation for more than 150 students on a brownfield site at Millbrook Road East.
The scheme, which aims to ease the shortage of student housing in the city, includes communal spaces, a study area, and a gymnasium.
Known as Sea View Place, the proposed development will tower over most of the other buildings in the area.
But Cavendish & Gloucester says it will be the same height as a recently approved tower block at nearby Nelson Gate. It also points to the presence of a 16-storey building in the same area.
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A spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "Our vision is to deliver high-quality student accommodation that will reduce pressure on family-sized homes in Southampton, providing more housing choice in the city.
“We have selected a prime brownfield site, within easy reach of Southampton Central station, which at the moment is contributing nothing.
“We recognise Southampton is continually transforming and our proposals seek to complement the redevelopment and rejuvenation at Nelson Gate and The Station Quarter nearby.
"Overall, Sea View Place will make a significant contribution to Southampton and its economy and deliver a host of benefits for the wider community.”
Publicity material issued by Cavendish & Gloucester says the scheme would make good use of brownfield land.
It adds: "Southampton has an extensive student population, which bolsters its economy and leads to skilled young people joining the local workforce.
"Providing purpose-built accommodation for them ensures that pressure is reduced on the existing housing stock.
"Southampton is a city that is constantly re-inventing itself. It seeks to be 'a city of opportunity where everyone thrives' and there is a wide range of major regeneration projects either proposed or under construction.
"As a result, Southampton's skyline rarely stands still and already features several buildings in excess of 20 storeys."
Vantage Apartments at Centenary Quay, Woolston, is 27 storeys high and two other buildings - Canberra Towers in Weston and Moresby Tower in Ocean Village - are only slightly shorter.
The proposed site is a 0.12-acre piece of land between Millbrook Road East and Loveridge Lane Industrial Estate.
Cavendish & Gloucester has launched a public consultation and will study all the feedback before submitting a planning application.
People can comment by visiting seaview.your-feedback.co.uk by November 3.
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