A new way of approaching retail
Outlet centres offer a different experience for customers to traditional shopping centres or retail parks. They attract people from far and wide, in search of the best brands at the best prices. In the age of online retail, outlets buck the trend with their unique offer of a shopping day out that can’t be matched by the click of a button.
Gunwharf Quays is not only home to numerous designer brands, the sites history goes back to Richard the Lionheart and is located proudly on Portsmouth’s historic waterfront, this is no ordinary retail destination.
Opened in 2001, Gunwharf Quays is the UK’s leading premium retail outlet, with more than 90 high fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Armani and Michael Kors.
The focus on affordable luxury and the wonderful waterside location attracts a broad range of customers.
A magnificent new space to showcase the brand."
Marketing Director, Ralph Lauren
Charting the waters to become a premium success
Our in-depth research and analysis helped us to recognise changing consumer trends – especially the demand for affordable luxury in a single place. We’ve transitioned Gunwharf Quays from a mid-market retail centre into an aspirational waterfront destination.
Gunwharf Quays is catching the eye of many more leading retailers keen to secure space here, thanks to the successful model we’ve established.
Deep dive into history
While we’ve focused on modernising the retail offer, there’s also an illustrious history behind the site, elements of which can still be seen.
Richard the Lionheart ordered the construction of a dockyard in Portsmouth in 1194, and three centuries later it became the world’s first dry dock. Under Charles II, Portsmouth was granted Royal Dockyard status and the Gunwharf became a major ordnance yard, storing weapons for the navy and army. Rumour has it that Admiral Lord Nelson passed through on his way to the Battle of Trafalgar. More recently, it was a D-Day launching pad and, later, a place where divers practised mine clearance and was decommissioned as a Royal Navy site in 1986.
An eye on the horizon
Following the site’s decommission and Portsmouth City Council’s vision to regenerate the area by opening up the waterfront, create jobs, increase visitor numbers and draw in further investment, Gunwharf Quays now looks firmly towards the future.
There’s plenty to enjoy nearby too, including the 110-metre Spinnaker Tower, which is designed to look like a sail billowing in the wind, not to mention the wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes on the waterfront which help make it a memorable day out destination.
We’re encouraging new, exciting brands to take up residence, and our outlet model continues to entice visitors to return time and again. There’s nowhere else quite like it!
519,903sq ft
>£200m
Market value range
100%
Ownership interest
