First glimpses of how the multi-million million pound Walsall Waterfront development could look have been revealed after developers announced the final shortlist of designs.

This futuristic image by Jacobs Architecture shows how impressive the transformation of the town centre could look once the preferred developer is selected by judges next month.

Developers Urban Splash received more than 130 entries and the shortlist was originally due to be cut to six. However, it has been extended to seven, because of the high standard of entries from across the globe.

Architects from as far afield as Mexico and Japan put forward submissions to lead the development of the 2.2 acre triangular site, formerly occupied by car dealership Lex.

The remaining candidates include five from London, one from Aldbury in Hertfordshire and another from Austria. The winning design is expected to be unveiled in August and these are the first showing of some of the designs.

Managing director of Urban Splash Midlands, Nathan Cornish, insisted he was impressed by the ideas. He said: “We’re really excited by these designs.

“It was extremely difficult to narrow the submissions down as there were so many strong contenders. We had aimed to have six, but in the end had to go with one more.

“We’re looking for a defining piece of architecture for Walsall and now have a shortlist of seven really powerful concepts to choose from.” The London-based contenders are Flacq and Featherstone Associates in a joint submission, Jacobs Architecture, Woods Bagot, Piercy Conner Architects and Type_O. In addition moh Architects (corr) from Vienna and Kirkland Fraser Moor Aldbury are in the frame.

As part of the Walsall Waterfront scheme Urban Splash is working in partnership with Advantage West Midlands, Walsall Council and Walsall Regeneration Company.

The leisure project could see a hotel, conference facilities, apartments, offices, bars and restaurants built on the site at Wolverhampton Street by the Town Wharf.