Penryn, Cornwall

A contemporary way forward for a traditional marine economy

Rob West led studio|REAL’s commission for a masterplan for the physical regeneration of the Commercial Road area alongside Penryn’s waterfront.  Many small Cornish towns have become totally dependent on tourism, but Penryn still retains a salty mix of traditional marine industries, based on boat servicing and repair, seafood production, warehousing and other commerce.  Clearly tourism will grow, but the team was keen not to lose the special character that makes Penryn a more “real” place than so many other coastal towns.

The masterplan seeks to strengthen links from Commercial Road and the quaysides to the town centre and identified sites between well established businesses where new uses or new development could bolster the physical fabric of the town.  A critical area was Jubilee Wharf, at the gateway to Penryn from neighbouring Falmouth, where the most potential for new mixed development, building refurbishment and public space was identified.

Shortly after completion of the masterplan, development started with Zed Factory’s retail and workspace on Jubilee Wharf, which spectacularly rose to our challenge to achieve the highest sustainability and architectural standards.  New development on Quay Hill now forms a notable gateway to the town as part of the Harbour Village alongside the iconic Anchor Warehouse.