Michael Underwood was a conservation architect who worked on Gunwharf Quays, and has written a book about the history of the site. He is shown with club member Celia Veal, who arranged the talk, and president for the month Tracy Gardiner (holding his book).
Historically a gun wharf was a place with a deep water harbour, space to remove and store guns, areas for storehouses, workshops and accommodation, and strong security. The first such specific area was built in Portsmouth by the Board of Ordnance for the navy in the late 17th century. It was on a prominence into the boggy “Ooze”, reclaimed and built as the largest of its kind at the time. Years passed, and by the time of Napoleon, with an expanding naval force, a further adjacent area was required. This included moving the Storekeeper, responsible for the whole operation of the site, into a more centrally-located office block, that we now recognise as the Old Customs House pub.
The site gained prominence again during the First World War, as HMS Vernon, a so-called Stone Ship (onshore), for the research and development of torpedoes and mines. These new technologies were taking over from the guns originally stored there. Portsmouth suffered during the early part of the Blitz in the Second World War, and so these activities were temporarily moved inland to Havant (Leigh Park House).
After decline in the latter half of the 20th century, it was the looming millennium that was the saviour of the site, with a successful bid to the commission for the development of the area. Central to this design was a tower, although not the shape of the Spinnaker at that time. The development was fraught with challenges, including digging the access tunnel under the railway in just two days, over a weekend, and building a large decking on piles into the Ooze. The final design allowed for restoration of the historical buildings and a sympathetic layout of surrounding blocks, so that for instance the Grand Storehouse had its clock tower replaced and has clear sight lines to the harbour.
The success of the site as a retail, recreation and residential development, has been maintained through the 21st century, with due reference to the buildings that are part of its history. Michael’s book explains, with many maps, plans and photographs, the evolution of this fascinating local attraction.