Poole and Bournemouth Eye

Bournemouth Borough Council has unveiled artist's impressions of what will be the best beach huts in the world. Having invented the beach hut back in 1908, Bournemouth still rents out the oldest hut in the world and is now reigniting the British passion for beach huts, in Boscombe, the site of the first artificial surf reef in the northern hemisphere which is being built over the summer this year.

The beach huts follow the kitsch, retro 1950s and 60s imagery of the 1958 Overstrand building they will be housed in. Each of the 58 beach huts will be individually designed. Each beach hut has a unique retro image across one wall and people will choose which beach hut they want to buy or rent based on which image they prefer. Penthouse, double-sized and single huts will be fitted with mains electricity and some will feature their own hot and cold running water. 31 surf pods will be made available for purchase on a 25 year lease with the remainder reserved for casual hire from the Council. The huts will offer panoramic views across the surf reef and Solent and the redesign to be completed at the end of October 2008. The surf reef is also anticipated to be complete by the end of October, weather depending.

The Boscombe Overstrand redevelopment sits at the heart of the UK's most innovative seafront attraction: Europe's first artificial surf reef. The neglected and empty early post-modernist Overstrand complex, designed in 1958, is being lovingly transformed by HemingwayDesign into a year-round leisure facility for watersports enthusiasts in the winter and traditional beach visitors in the summer.

Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway MBE, of HemingwayDesign say: “We love Bournemouth. The resort has a great deal going for it: stunning beaches, great restaurants, walks, cycling and a variety of activities. The Boscombe Overstrand project is right up there with the most stimulating projects we have ever undertaken. It is not often you come across a historic mid-century modern building that has been empty for 15 years but has remained in good condition and has its original features and integrity and when that building faces one of Britain's best beaches, has world-class views and is next to tone of the coolest piers in the country you have to pinch yourself. The beach huts at Boscombe will simply be the best in the world.”

The regenerated building will feature a high-quality café with first-floor glass-fronted restaurant overlooking the surf reef and award-winning beaches. Two surf-related retail units, RNLI beach lifeguard station, public showers, toilets and changing facilities and events office will feature along the ground floor. The tender to lease the commercial units are currently available for interested parties. The first and second floors will house the most desirable beach huts in the UK. The 59 'surf pods' have been interior designed by award-winning Hemingway Design. 

Nearby stands the UK's finest 20th century pier with its clean, angular lines. The grade-II listed Boscombe Pier has been completely refurbished to an exacting standard and will feature a high quality Italian café and beach retail shop spilling out onto a piazza in front of the pier entrance. Newly commissioned public artwork will help to shape this popular meeting place.  The end of the pier offers stunning coastal views naturally framed by the Isle of Wight and Isle of Purbeck and a fine spot to fish from or simply watch the sun going down over the reef.

Opposite the pier, the Green Flag award winning Boscombe Chine gardens have been completely overhauled and feature a children's water-play park, a brand new mini golf course and café. Land trains operate from the pier every day during the summer linking up to Bournemouth pier.

All these elements are linked to form Boscombe Spa Village: the exciting £10 million seafront regeneration scheme.

A short walk away is Boscombe town centre which offers a vibrant cultural scene and café culture. Trendy bars, surf boutiques, live music venues and fabulous property developments are turning the area into one of the most desirable places to live.

The Overstrand beach huts will be going on sale later in the year. Prices are yet to be disclosed. For updates and news visit www.bournemouth.co.uk