Plans have been submitted to transform the west end of Front Street to make it more commuter-friendly and update the retail and office space currently available.

The architectural firm Cooper & Gardner has submitted plans for final approval to the Bermuda Planning Department to renovate the five-storey Somers Building on Front Street, which currently houses the shops Vera P. Card and Cecile's.

The exterior appears to have been designed so that the Front Street facade of shops will not be drastically altered; it will be the interior of Somers Building that will be most significantly transformed.

The proposed new seven-story building would preserve much of the existing facade's appearance while adding several exterior verandahs to each story. This will be achieved by having graduated floors, with the sixth and seventh floors having about a third of the floor area of the lower floors.

With both these floors are to be set at the back of the building; only the building's first five stories will be clearly visible from the ground level on Front Street. The sixth and seventh floors will be evident when looking at the back of the lot, which abuts Par-la-Ville Park.

In a letter to director of planning, Rudolph Hollis, dated July 7, Cooper & Gardner said: “The proposed additions have been designed so that the building fits in comfortably within its context.”

In particular, the building design has been drawn to “reflect Bermuda's image”. Specific details the letter cited, were “keeping a verandah along Front Street” and the designing the Bermuda roof “so that all mechanical components are screened”.

The letter notes that it is anticipated the majority of The letter notes that it is anticipated the majority of the building will be used for office space with the main retail section being on the Front Street level, across the road from the HSBC/Bank of Bermuda head office.

Two entrances from Front Street are proposed for the building: one that would resemble a retail arcade and one that would lead to the office lobby and elevators. Both entrances would have access to Par-la-Ville Park, The Royal Gazette understands.

According to Cooper & Gardner, “the introduction of an internal ‘street' with an escalator from Front Street to Par-la-Ville Park enhances the potential for retail opportunities on the upper floors”.

The letter notes that this section of the proposed new Somers Building would serve “as a very important covered pedestrian link not only from Front Street to Par-la-Ville Park, but also as a commuter link from the Hamilton ferry terminal through the park and up to the offices located along Church Street”.

The architect for the project, Duncan Robson, was off the island yesterday and unavailable for comment. Cooper & Gardner directed The Royal Gazette to Jan Card of Vera P. Card for comment, but Mr. Card did not return several phone calls.