EcoWorld Ballymore, one of London’s most prominent property developers, declared London City Island open this week and officially announced that the London Film School will move to the development.
This announcement furthers the area’s creative offering and follows the announcement last year that English National Ballet and English National Ballet School will move to the island. With the first homes in the development now complete and residents moving in, the event last night officially declared the island open and marked the arrival of the first of the island’s amenities.
A new creative and vibrant island metropolis, London City Island will be a destination of culture and contemporary living. The partnership with The London Film School will see this iconic learning institution, which boasts alumnus including Michael Mann, Duncan Jones and Mike Leigh, make a landmark move to London City Island. Highly respected, The London Film School (LFS) has had unparalleled success in film festivals across the globe, and the school’s move to London City Island from their current space in Covent Garden is a testimony to the cultural vibrancy and ever-expanding arts scene of east London.
The new neighbourhood will include al fresco spaces used to show public art, design installations and host ad-hoc creative performances, enabling increased community engagement and improved facilities for film school students. Residents of London City Island and the surrounding area will be able to attend film screenings and Q&A evenings. In addition, the school will use the public open spaces of the island as set locations, activating these spaces and bringing the craft of filmmaking closer to the lives of East Londoners. The school is committed to nurturing talent, creating new audiences for the screen industries and reinforcing the school’s vision as a diverse and inclusive organisation.
Due to open in late 2017, The London Film School’s new home on London City Island will accommodate 220 students, along with over 55 staff, from over 60 countries. Students will study filmmaking, screenwriting and film business in the new purpose-built space which will include two cinemas, studios and office space. The building has been designed by Nicholas Hare Architects, who have previously worked on the Courtauld Institute and The David Attenborough Building at The University of Cambridge. Funds will come from a range of sources, including Lottery funds, trusts, foundations and individuals donors.
Jane Roscoe, Director & CEO of The London Film School said “We’re really excited about joining the English National Ballet at London City Island. Together, we’ll be at the heart of an emerging cultural hub; creatively inspiring our students, practitioners and residents alike, and putting film at the centre of the Island “
Dato’ Teow Leong Seng, President and CEO of Eco World International Berhad added: “We were excited to welcome so many cultural influencers to celebrate the official opening of London City Island last night. We’re very pleased that the London Film School is joining English National Ballet and English National Ballet School as island residents, to further the creative offering on the island and add to the area’s sense of cultural space.”
Sean Mulryan, Chairman and CEO, Ballymore Group, also said: “Our vision for City Island has always been to create a vibrant, cultural neighbourhood for London which has creative innovation at its heart. We are delighted that this vision is becoming a reality with English National Ballet, London Film School and The Line all making the island their new home as part of phase two, which Ballymore has developed in conjunction with EcoWorld. On 8th November, we are celebrating the official opening of City Island and we are looking forward to welcoming the first ‘Islanders’ to this exciting new destination – the island of dance, film and art.”
The Island Grocer by Ballymore, which also opened last week, will provide a grocery and restaurant for residents and the surrounding area. It is the vision of Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Ballymore to recreate this initiative across other developments including Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms and Wardian London in Canary Wharf. The independent, artisan Island Grocer will set the benchmark for the retail and leisure spaces across the 12 acre site. In addition, the gym and iconic red outdoor swimming pool are now complete, which will form part of the residents Arts Club.