21 key milestones reached at London’s new developments in 2021
From site acquisition to planning permission, topping-out ceremony and first residents moving in – there are dozens of important milestones for the team to celebrate in the property development process.
We look back at some of the key milestones reached at London’s new developments in 2021.
Public Consultation: Earls Court SW5
December 2021 – For 150 years the site of Earls Court Exhibition Centre was known as a global showcase for innovation, entertainment, and achievement. The first public consultation commenced in December 2021 with online and in-person discussions and meetings held to introduce the new plans for the site. The first consultation started more than a year before the outline planning application for the phased development is expected to be submitted in spring 2023.
Planning Application Submitted: Holloway Prison N7
November 2021 – The planning application for the redevelopment of the former female-only prison that first opened in 1852 was submitted by Avison Young on behalf of Peabody to Islington Council. The 10-acre site will comprise over 980 new homes, including 60% of genuinely affordable housing, green spaces, places to play, local shops on Parkhurst Road and Camden Road, and a Women’s Centre.
Planning Permission Granted: Crossharbour District Centre E14
September 2021 – London Borough of Tower Hamlets approves plans for the new town centre of the Isle of Dogs centered around a public square that will provide up to 1,972 new homes (27% affordable housing), a new ASDA store, and 7,200m2 of retail space on the square and on the new streets around. The £1bn development was finally granted permission after four failed attempts that saw fierce objection from the locals.
New Appointment: The Whiteley W2
June 2021 – Ardmore lands a £111 million fit-out contract that will deliver 139 world-class modern residences, providing over 300,000 sq ft of residential space at The Whiteley.
Demolition Start: North Brent School NW10
Summer 2021 – The pupils of North Brent School in a temporary home at WHTC were hoping to start at their new school in 2021 but COVID-19 changed the plans. The demolition of the old Chancel House office building on Neasden Lane commenced making way for a DfE funded secondary school for 1,150 pupils.
Construction Start: Camden Goods Yard NW1
August 2021 – Developer St George, Camden Council, and WM Morrison Supermarkets officially break ground at Camden Goods Yard. The 8-acre brownfield site next to Camden Market will be transformed into a mixed-use neighbourhood, with 644 mixed tenures homes, alongside a new flagship 55,000 sq ft Morrisons supermarket. The development is expected to launch in 2022.
Topped Out: Paddington Square W2
September 2021 – The topping-out is one of the most important milestones in construction. It has been a long journey for developer Sellar to first find a suitable shape with architect Renzo Piano, and then with the help of main contractor Mace, to reach the highest point in construction.
Fit Out Start: National Portrait Gallery WC2
April 2021 – Gilbert Ash starts the most ambitious transformation on the building that first opened in 1896. The works will include extensive refurbishment of the existing Grade I listed galleries. The designs, by Jamie Fobert Architects working in partnership with Purcell, encompass a complete re-display and re-interpretation of the Grade I listed Gallery’s Collection across 40 refurbished galleries, presenting a wider and more diverse selection of portraits. The project is due to complete in 2023.
Completion: Marble Arch Place W1
Summer 2021 – Almacantar completes the mixed-use development 10 years after acquiring the site across the road from Marble Arch. Rafael Viñoly Architects-designed scheme comprises a 7-storey commercial building and The Bryanston – a 17-storey tower containing 54 apartments. Extension to Oxford Street – the ground and basement levels include shops and an art gallery.
Handover: Newfoundland E14
February 2021 – Canary Wharf Group Construction hands over the keys to the tallest Build-to-Rent (BtR) building in London to Vertus. The 58-storey Newfoundland offers 636 apartments with amazing views for rent ranging in size from studios to 3-bedrooms. It’s safe to say Vertus has its hands full with over 1,100 new apartments now launched for rent since the beginning of 2020.
Sales Launch: The OWO Residences by Raffles
June 2021 – 85 apartments at the redevelopment of the Grade II* listed Old War Office building, once used by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, were officially launched for sale. Prices at the launch of the first Raffles branded residences in Europe started from £5.8m, offered through joint selling agents Knight Frank and Strutt & Parker.
Show Home Launch: The Broadway SW1
November 2021 – The first show home opens at The Broadway, offering spectacular views over the Westminster skyline, from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to St. James’s Park. The triple-aspect apartment at Northacre’s £420m development was designed by Natalia Miyar Atelier.
Sold Out: Clapham Place E5
April 2021 – All 62 apartments at Regal London‘s popular development were sold out ahead of completion. The selling agent for the development was Savills.
Award-Winning Southworks SE1
May 2021 – Southworks office development is named the world’s smartest building. The scheme by Middlecap competed at the 2021 Futureproof Awards (People’s Choice category) with schemes such as EDGE Olympic in Amsterdam and Windmill Green in Manchester, thanks to its use of data to create the best possible user environment.
Certificate: Chelsea Barracks SW1
April 2021 – The £3bn residential-led Chelsea Barracks development is one of only 16 in the world to achieve LEED platinum certification for green building, making it the most sustainable scheme in Europe.
Grand Opening: The Londoner WC2
September 2021 – The 16-storey new hotel opens on Leicester Square features 350 rooms, two Odeon cinemas, a banqueting suite, and leisure facilities.
New Occupier: 101 on Cleveland W1
August 2021 – Ted Baker announces moving its HQ from the Ugly Brown Building to the Gorgeous Brown Building at Dukelease’s newly completed development in Fitzrovia. Hanover Green advised the landlord and JLL advised the tenant.
First Residents Move In: Battersea Power Station SW8
May 2021 – First residents move into their new homes at the Grade II* listed Power Station. New homeowners were handed the keys following the completion of Switch House West, the first major element of the Power Station to complete. The occasion was marked with a special public performance on Monday 24 May by members of the London Symphony Orchestra, who played at the foot of the Power Station, alongside Battersea Power Station’s own Community Choir.
Service Launch: The Silk District E1
September 2021 – Developer Mount Anvil teams up with Peloton to provide residents with access to The Hub @ The Silk District, a dedicated workout facility with Peloton Bikes.
Space Launch: Embassy Gardens SW8
May 2021 – The most extravagant amenity for residents in London this year is Sky Pool at Embassy Gardens – the largest freestanding acrylic swimming pool in the world. The 14-metre long transparent structure is 10 storeys up (35m) in its steel frame, spanning Embassy Gardens’ Legacy Buildings.
Site for sale: Bermondsey Reach SE16
July 2021 – Kalmars and CBRE launch a mixed-use development opportunity in Southwark with a GDV of over £135m. Bermondsey Reach at 79-161 Ilderton Road comes planning permission for a 312 residential apartment-led development. The approved scheme comprises 36% affordable housing, 4,833 sq ft of Class A1 retail floor space, and 19,569 sq ft of Class B1 commercial floor space.
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