Zaha Hadid Architects have been appointed to design a landmark cultural quarter overlooking the seafront in Bournemouth, England.

Initial proposals for the site, which is currently home to a car park, include a multi-use performance space, a hotel, restaurants and new public realm linking the cultural quarter to the beaches, town centre and forthcoming Winter Gardens scheme via a new Grand Garden Walk. The project will cost a reported £25m (US$36.5m, €33m).

“We are in the early stages of planning and any development will need to be of high architectural quality, respecting the views and creating a strong and positive visual identity for this part of Bournemouth,” said the city’s council leader John Beesley.

“The appointment of Zaha Hadid Architects follows a competitive process designed to identify an architect who can demonstrate the importance of placemaking whilst respecting the wider area of interest outside a development site.”

Zaha Hadid visited Bournemouth in March this year, shortly before her death, and ZHA director Jim Heverin said she had explored the “wonderful possibilities” of the site “as a popular cultural quarter for residents and visitors alike.”

Bournemouth Council will now work with key stakeholders from the Arts Council, BH Live, Arts University Bournemouth and the Bournemouth Development Company to create a vision for the site which will inform the longer term development plans.