The Project
>> Presentation of Bowen Towers
The project proposed on the site consists of a multi storeyed building which will include commercial and office space, apartments, parking bays and a hotel. This landmark project should be seen as a unique opportunity to create a value project in Port-Louis that will completely change the landscape of the city.
The proposed building will soar above Port Louis from a solid base of Mauritian basalt reclaimed from the early colonial structures which are to be trimmed and modified in the rehabilitation of the site. A lush planted platform will separate the tower from the parking garage base and acts as the social floor for the commercial functions above. The very fine group of historic buildings occupying the site is unique in that it forms a coherent precinct of high architectural quality. In order to safeguard the future of these structures, they require rehabilitation and reconfiguration, so that they can continue to contribute to the economic prosperity of the city. It is proposed that the important historical building stock should be retained as the theme for new Mall. The existing buildings will be linked by a top-lit galleria with mezzanine and first floor levels above. The stone reclaimed from the rear demolished sections of the historical buildings will be used as the facing of the parking podium.
The proposed tower will house a mix of functions, such as a boutique hotel, serviced apartments and high quality corporate offices, all of which are linked horizontally by crisp narrow balconies which echo the traditional Mauritian architectural character. These provide protection from direct sun, support split unit air-conditioners where required and conceal storm shutters which can be lowered to provide protection from cyclones. Separating the various uses are a series of glass fronted lifts, giving magnificent views over the town and harbour, which rise spectacularly through the galleria and climb on the external façade of the high-rise tower structure - vertical accents which contrast with the horizontal stratification of the projecting balconies.
Above the tower, on the skyline, a series of purpose designed penthouses complete the composition.
Access into the building is via a new Grade A mall which is entered from the Waterfront side, over President John Kennedy Street, via a large arched doorway, penetrating the basalt wall of the existing warehouse. This entrance opens into a high, glass roofed galleria which links the various historic stone buildings, whose end walls will be opened up to expose their marvelous old interiors. It is anticipated that elegant restaurants, bistros, boutiques and shops will be located in these buildings while at the mezzanine level overlooking the galleria will be housed commercial activities such as a gym, art galleries, exclusive banks and offices.
It is envisaged that the high-tech translucency of the glass galleria roof will form a contrast with the shady medieval solidity of the stone structures and the warm and delicate detail of the timber finishes of the historic buildings.
The far end of the galleria terminates with the most important historic building of all - an elegant preserved masterpiece, which redirects the pedestrian flow and leads directly into the charming and delicately planted Bowen Square, which in turn opens onto the gracious treed boulevard, Place D' Armes and its important public buildings.
The building has been designed to react to market demands. It has been structured so that the space allocation can be finalised at a later stage. Thus the final disposition does not have to be decided before the project is initiated and may be adapted as per market demand.
The high-rise multi product building will be on 31 floors with a net space of 49,066 m² and based on preliminary demand analysis, the space is proposed to be distributed as follows:
– 7,171mē of commercial space;
– 514 parking bays with a total area of 12,760mē;
– A 150 room hotel with a total area of 8,918mē;
– 25 apartments (including 5 penthouses) with a total area of 8,114mē;
– 12,103mē of office space.
It should be noted that the above described space allocation has been used in the financial model but may be subsequently modified based on future market demand.
