A STUNNING seafront residence is to be constructed in Ventnor — with a nod to its heritage.

The former Gaiety amusements closed several years ago, but the distinctive dome remains — and investigative work is underway to see if it can be saved and incorporated into the new build, which will be a private home.

Demolition is now underway at the site, which is in a prominent central position on Ventnor Esplanade.

The home looks set to become one of the area's most eye-catching, and is in good company, next door to Villa Amanti — which has also been completely renovated in recent years.

Scroll down for video showing the site under demolition

According to planning documents, the Gaiety building is not listed and was originally constructed around 1898 as an assembly/pleasure pavilion with reading rooms and card tables, before it got turned into an amusement arcade.

Read more: 

Planning permission was granted in April, 2015, for the demolition of the building, and for the erection of a three-storey building to provide seven flats, together with the formation of a vehicular access, a parking area and landscaping.

However the current planning application for a single residential dwelling was submitted in June, 2018, and approved in February, 2019.

Pre-commencement planning conditions were discharged in February this year so building work could finally get underway

The applicants behind the development are Gaiety Villas Ltd, and the property will be known as The Pavilion once built.

Isle of Wight County Press: Picture courtesy of Lyons Sleeman Hoare.Picture courtesy of Lyons Sleeman Hoare.

The design aim is to provide a contemporary interpretation of the distinctive shape of the original pavilion — a square flat roof building with period fenestration styling, glazed lantern features at each corner, a sea facing terrace and an imposing dome with clerestory lights.

Ventnor mayor Steph Toogood said: "Investigation of the stability and condition of the original frame of The Gaiety has begun to progress the development of the site on the Esplanade.

"The fun temporary hoarding by local artist Stevie Unknown is to be retained during construction.

"The first task for John Peck Construction is to demolish parts of the building to expose the steel structure to the dome to see if it can be refurbished and re-used.

"I believe the image of the new dwelling shows the architects have designed a new building using the historical features of the original Gaiety."