SOUTHEND could soon see a string of striking new developments transforming the face of the city, creating much-needed new homes.

From redundant office blocks to old cinema and club sites, bold new plans are set to shape the future of the sites, changing the skyline forever. 

In the biggest application, submitted to Southend Council, Comer Homes wants to turn Alexander House, an old HMRC office block in Victoria Avenue, into 557 self-contained flats with shops on the ground floor. 

Echo: Before - Alexander House

In total, 299 new parking spaces are proposed across the basement and ground levels in the northern half of the site.

The building will include five distinct areas which are the East Pavilion, West City, East Street, West Pavilion, and East City blocks.

Echo: Proposal - Alexander House

It aims to completely modernise the site, opposite Southend Victoria railway station, into a brighter gateway into the city.

In Alexander Street, developer Vikesh Kotecha has submitted plans to convert the partially-demolished Empire Theatre, later known as the ABC cinema, into 22 luxury self-contained flats with shops on the ground floor.

Echo: Before - Empire Theatre

Southend Council planning officials have recommended conditional approval of the scheme, which has been scaled back from 27 to 22 properties, and the overall development being reduced from six storeys to five fronting Alexander Street.

Echo: Now - Empire Theatre

The once five-storeys fronting Clarence Street has now been reduced to four.

No parking would be provided but there would be 28 cycle parking spaces for residents and four-cycle parking spaces for the proposed shops.

Echo: Proposal - Empire Theatre

The same developer is also planning on a development on the former Churchill’s diner site, in Tylers Avenue, which has been vacant since 2021.

Echo: Before - Churchills

Plans to build 58 flats across two tower blocks still need to be considered by Southend Council.

Echo: Plan - one of the tower blocks on the former Churchills site