What’s Happening with Weymouth’s North Quay Site? A Local Architect’s Take
- Rosenkelly Architectural Design
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
North Quay in Weymouth is one of the town’s most central and visible harbourfront locations. Once home to the old council offices, this publicly owned site has since been cleared and is now functioning as a surface-level car park. With its prime position near the marina, town centre, and conservation area, North Quay holds more long-term potential than its current temporary use might suggest.
As Weymouth’s only ARB-registered architect based in DT4, I believe this site deserves a fresh wave of local attention and civic imagination. It’s time we consider what this space could become — and how it might serve the town for generations to come.
A Site with History — and Unrealised Potential
For decades, North Quay was occupied by 1970s-style civic buildings. These were demolished relatively recently, making way for an open site along the waterfront. A past concept by Ben Pentreath Architects once proposed a traditional-style mixed-use development with housing and shopfronts — a scheme that generated public interest, but which was never formally pursued.
That past concept is no longer active, but it shows that local interest in North Quay’s future is longstanding. For now, the site is doing something practical: serving as a 238-space car park that supports nearby shops, businesses and harbour activity. Given local parking demand, it’s a smart interim use. But we can still ask: what comes next?
Publicly Owned, Centrally Located — and Full of Possibility
What makes North Quay particularly exciting is its ownership. It’s public land, held by Dorset Council. That means any future proposal has the potential to be shaped by local priorities — not just private commercial interests.
Located within Weymouth’s conservation area and right on the waterfront, the site is well-connected. It’s walkable from the train station and just steps from key town centre amenities. It also links directly to the marina, ferry port, and harbour walkways. With these assets, it has all the raw ingredients for a flagship development — something that balances heritage, access, and new uses.
A Chance for Local Vision
There are no formal plans in place right now. But that shouldn’t stop us from asking the big questions:
What kind of place do we want North Quay to become?
Could it be a public square with cafés and coastal walkways?
Could it feature housing for local people with active ground-floor uses?
Could it provide a new civic venue or harbour market?
This is a moment where we, as a town, can shape the narrative — before any planning applications are submitted. Because it’s public land, the community should have a meaningful say in its long-term purpose.
An Architect’s View from DT4
As a local architect, I see this site as an exciting design opportunity — but also one that comes with responsibility. Any new building or layout will sit next to listed buildings, narrow streets, and cherished views across the water. It needs to be done well.
That doesn’t mean extravagant design. In fact, it likely means simple, traditional architecture, with materials and forms that echo Weymouth’s coastal character. It means layouts that welcome pedestrians, preserve views, and accommodate daily life — from parking to play to pop-up markets.
Most of all, it means local understanding. That’s why I believe architects and designers with deep roots in Weymouth should be part of the conversation early on. Firms based outside the town may not grasp the subtleties of the site: traffic patterns, flood zones, or how light hits the harbour in winter.
Join the Conversation
At Rosenkelly Architectural Design, we’re always ready to have open, honest conversations about local sites. We’re a Weymouth-based architecture practice — and as far as we know, the only ARB-registered architect in the DT4 area.
We’re not promoting a specific plan or scheme. But we are saying this: North Quay is too important to ignore.
If you live, work, or invest in Weymouth and care about what happens here, we’d love to hear from you. Have a vision? A concern? An idea? Drop us a message, or stop by for a chat. Let’s help ensure this harbourfront gem is shaped by local hands — with design that reflects Weymouth’s true character.
