The transformation of a Cornish harbour into a “coastal quarter” containing homes, shops and restaurants has reached a crucial stage with the “topping out” of its first apartment building.

North Quay is being created at Hayle Harbour, and will eventually feature more than 300 homes, a hotel, cinema, and open spaces, set within a stunning waterside location just yards from the Hayle Towans beaches with their three miles of golden sands.

The topping out ceremony, the traditional celebration of reaching the highest point of construction, saw the completion of the concrete roof slab to the Block D apartments which will sit at the heart of the new scheme and will be named An Garth (The Yard).

Construction started earlier this year on a block situated on the edge of what will become the new North Quay Square and close to the quayside.

Celebrating reaching the highpoint in the construction of the five-storey apartment building at North Quay, in Hayle, are Corinthian Homes construction director David Speight (centre) with (left) architect Rob Hebblethwaite, of FCB Studios, and Richard Scott, structural engineer and technical director with WSP

The apartment building’s contemporary wharf-style homes will have water views, with many properties having a balcony or terrace.

At five storeys, it is the tallest of the new buildings being constructed as part of the award-winning development.

David Speight, construction director for Corinthian Homes, said: “We are very pleased and proud to be celebrating this milestone at the end of what has been a transformative 12 months for the North Quay scheme.

“It represents not only a high point for this particular building but for the whole team of more than 100 construction professionals, local contractors and apprentices, which has worked so effectively, diligently and safely together in making such impressive progress during this extraordinary year.”

In addition to the work to the apartment building, there has been significant progress right across the North Quay development. The first block of new quayside townhouses has been largely completed, with all these homes now sold.

Major infrastructure work is continuing to create underground car parking in preparation for further development along the quaysides.

The North Quay area of Hayle, before redevelopment
How the North Quay housing and business scheme in Hayle, Cornwall, is planned to look

Site preparation and significant ecological work has taken place for a new spine road which will link the waterfront and hilltop areas of the site.

A project to repair and repoint some of North Quay’s listed quay walls is under way as part of the Corinthian Harbour and Marine Programme.

A new beachside restaurant - Lula’s - successfully opened at North Quay, with the support of Corinthian Homes, and had proved popular with local people and visitors.

And earlier this year, the development by Corinthian Homes - part of the Corinthian Homes Group - and designed by internationally renowned architects and urban designers Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, was announced as a winner in the Project Category in the prestigious Housing Design Awards 2020.

More than a decade in the planning, the regeneration of Hayle Harbour has long been seen as an important project in stimulating and sustaining economic growth in the town and West Cornwall.

Once complete, North Quay will become a focal point for further phases of the regeneration and a destination in its own right, for people living and working locally or enjoying a visit to Hayle, its near neighbour St Ives and wider West Cornwall.

How to contact William Telford and Business Live

Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.

To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: @WTelfordHerald - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com - Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473

Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here.

And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page here


A planning application has already been submitted for Phase Two of the scheme, to include a new hotel and community centre, improved water sport and harbour facilities, cinema and new open-market and affordable homes.

North Quay is set amongst the striking scenery of the Hayle Estuary and within the boundaries of the Hayle Conservation Area and The UNESCO World Heritage Site for Cornwall and Devon.

Phase 1 will feature about 140 properties in 11 buildings, including 17 three-bedroom, wharf-style houses and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, many with views over the Hayle estuary and beyond.

Phase 1 also includes the development of North Quay Square, which will host events all year round, and 20 retail units for offices, shops and restaurants, creating a bustling café culture.

Public access to the beach will be maintained for all to enjoy and there will also be new car parking facilities at North Quay, a variety of attractive and well-connected pedestrian-friendly streets and seating areas incorporated into key locations along the wharf.