Architectural charity Twentieth Century Society has applied to have the Will Alsop-designed La Frégate cafe in Jersey protected to prevent it being demolished as part of plans to redevelop its waterfront site.
The cafe in St Helier, which was an early work designed by Stirling Prize-winning architect Alsop, is currently under threat of demolition as part of a wider plan by the Jersey Development Company to develop the site.
"Tragedy if this cafe were to be demolished"
Designed by Alsop in collaboration with local architect Derek Mason, the cafe opened in 1997 and looks like an upturned boat.
Twentieth Century Society applied to have the cafe listed as, although small, it is a significant early work by Alsop, who passed away aged 70 in 2018. "Just occasionally a tiny building can have a big impact ? that's definitely the case here," said Twentieth Century Society director Catherine Croft.
"La Frégate is playful and joyous, and a rare example of a work by one of the most extraordinarily inventive architects of the past few decades," she told Dezeen.
"It would be a tragedy if this cafe were to be demolished and we hope that the feasibility studies currently underway will show that it's possible to save it."
La Frégate cafe is under threat of demolition
The La Frégate cafe is currently under threat as it is not included in the Jersey Development Company's plans for the redevelopment of the site, which were submitted to planning las...