:
UK: Amro Partners has submitted a planning application for its largest and most ambitious project to date, a £650 million redevelopment of Lewisham Retail Park, delivering 1,452 new rental homes.
The 2.8-acre island site was secured by Amro in 2024 following a complex 18-month land assembly strategy. The proposals include five new buildings in a landscaped new neighbourhood with almost 2,000 square metres of commercial space, extensive landscaping and a variety of housing types.
These include 387 Build-to-Rent (BTR) homes, ranging from one to three-bedroom apartments with resident lounges, coworking areas, gyms and podium gardens; 383 coliving studios with extensive shared amenities; and 682 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) studios and cluster flats with shared kitchen and living spaces.
At street level, the plans include a food hall, deli, bakery, café, restaurants and bars, prioritising independent businesses over chains. These will be connected to a new public square designed to support outdoor events and strengthen the night-time economy.
Amro is in advanced discussions with specialist food hall operators to take around 1,000 square metres of commercial space.
Public realm is central to the proposals, which feature two residential garden spaces in addition to the central square, providing seating, children’s play areas, open lawns, footpaths and cycleways and almost 100 new trees. The development is targeting significant ecological enhancements across the site, including a net biodiversity gain of 10 per cent and an urban greening factor of 0.4.
The site is located less than a three-minute walk from Lewisham National Rail and DLR stations. The proposed Bakerloo Line extension via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate will further enhance transport links for residents.
Subject to planning, construction could commence in early 2027, with the project scheduled to launch in phased openings during 2029/2030.
Amro Partners co-founder and CEO Raj Kotecha said, “This project means a great deal to us and to the people of Lewisham. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform this prominent gateway site into a thriving and sustainable new neighbourhood for local people to live, work, visit and socialise. We’ve been privileged to spend many months listening to local people and shaping our vision for a development that sets a new bar for placemaking and sustainability, as well as bringing forward urgently needed new rental housing.”
Amro Partners currently has more than 2,500 residential homes under development across Greater London, including projects in Ealing, Kingston, Sutton and Croydon – all targeting BREEAM Outstanding ratings.
Highlights:
- Amro Partners has submitted a planning application for its largest and most ambitious project to date, a £650 million redevelopment of Lewisham Retail Park, delivering 1,452 new rental homes
- The 2.8-acre island site will feature five new buildings and landscaped public realm
- The site will deliver 387 BTR units, 682 PBSA units and 383 coliving studios, along with 2,000 square metres of commercial space
- Subject to planning, construction could commence in early 2027, with the project scheduled to launch in phased openings during 2029/2030
