UK: US developer and investor Hines has secured planning consent for three towers at a site near Blackfriars Bridge on the south bank of the Thames.
Approval for the office and residential development at 18 Blackfriars Road was secured working with architects Foster + Partners, and Lipton Rogers. The two-acre brownfield site has remained undeveloped for 20 years.
18 Blackfriars Road is designed to be fossil fuel free, 100 per cent electric and Net Zero Carbon in operation, with 95 per cent of the site heat demand served by ground source heat pumps that share, store and offset energy. Beyond decarbonisation, it is set to deliver affordable homes, free workspace for local businesses and entrepreneurs, and a cultural hub for locals.
It aims be the first high-rise scheme in the UK to achieve the WELL Community Gold Standard, which certifies developments that support health and wellbeing.
Ross Blair, senior managing director and country head of Hines UK, said: “Our plans will transform an undeveloped piece of land, most of which has lain empty for over 20 years, into much needed new homes and first class, sustainable and tech-enabled offices, built around a central hub which we hope will become a brand new convening space for the local community.”
The scheme will consist of three buildings, two delivering more than 400 new homes, with 40 per cent being affordable. The third will create 800,000 square feet of office space.
Plans also include 20,000 square feet of new affordable workspace for local and socially minded enterprises, assembly rooms for use by the local community, modern educational space with links to local institutions, children’s play areas and a new central public space with retail and food outlets situated at the heart of the development. A 150 per cent increase in biodiversity is also planned for the site, including the planting of around 100 new trees.
Blair continued: “Businesses of all sizes and from all sectors are demanding more from their offices because their employees are demanding more from them. 18 Blackfriars is all about rising to that challenge and delivering the office of the future. We believe our plans for 18 Blackfriars will set a new standard in premium quality workspace in London, both fully integrated into its hyper-local community and seated right at the heart of our capital city. Bringing this scheme to life underlines our long-term conviction in London as a thriving, global center for culture, education and business.”
