Spacehub are working with ACME and A is For Architects to reinvigorate Folkestone’s Seafront. Once a thriving port and beach destination, Folkestone was badly hit with the rise in popularity of package holidays abroad during the 1960s. Currently undergoing a renaissance, Folkestone has its very own art triennial attracting well-known artists from all over the world. The Harbour Arm has been restored and is now home to a street food market, bars, outdoor cinema and weekend events.

The masterplan features a number of crescent style residential plots on the site of the former seafront arcades. These will each contain sheltered podium gardens, which will provide shared amenity space for residents. Between each plots, a series of shingle gardens take inspiration from the dunscape of nearby Dungeness. To the north of the plots, the enhanced streetscape of Lower Sandgate Road and Marine Parade will tie the development together with a green boulevard. The western end of the site includes a new public square in front of the Leas Lift, which is a flexible space with the potential to host small events.

Following the outline planning application for the masterplan, several plots have achieved reserved matters permission, and construction is in progress on plot B1, the westernmost crescent. The eastern end of the site contains 3 plots, which together will comprise the forthcoming harbour masterplan reserved matters application, currently in progress.