Project Details
- Project Name
- 31 London Street
- Architect
- Renzo Piano Building Workshop
- Client/Owner
- Great Western Developments, Sellar Property Group
- Shared by
- Hanley Wood Media
- Project Status
- Concept Proposal
Project Description
FROM THE DEVELOPERS (Oct. 20, 2015):
Great Western Developments Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore publicly
listed Hotel Properties Limited, and its development partner Sellar Property
Group has unveiled development proposals for 31 London Street, the former Royal
Mail sorting office. Adjacent to Paddington Station, the scheme will create a
transformative mixed-use development with world-class public realm at its
heart.
With the arrival of Crossrail in 2018, Paddington is set to become an
even more important destination. Paddington’s passenger growth is projected to
raise the station from London’s eighth busiest to London’s fourth – comparable
to Waterloo, Victoria, London Bridge and Liverpool Street. The surrounding
infrastructure must adapt and revitalise to reflect the importance of
Paddington as a key gateway into London, and at the same time improve visitor
experience.
Sellar Property Group, previously responsible for The Shard development,
together with architects Renzo Piano Building Workshop have designed over an
acre of new urban public realm to complement Paddington Station. This new
public space will address many of the challenges currently faced by Londoners
and visitors by easing congestion, improving connectivity and creating a
world-class experience.
The proposed development will significantly enhance connectivity for the
Bakerloo line, while creating a much deserved front door and an elegant new
building for London topped with a stunning open-air roof garden, inspired by
Kew Gardens and London’s garden squares, offering panoramic views of London.
The new public realm will also improve connectivity to St Mary’s Hospital and
blend sympathetically with the hospital’s own emerging masterplan.
The development at 31 London Street will bring a £1billion investment to the
area, over 200 new homes, more than 150,000sq.ft. of new office space specifically
designed to encourage occupation in small suites by dynamic companies. This
office space will form part of a catalyst to create jobs and drive much-needed
investment to Paddington. The development also includes approximately 50,000
sq.ft. of high quality retail, restaurants and cafés that will make it a
destination in its own right.
Chris Lim, Group Executive Director of Hotel Properties Limited,
commented, “By partnering with Sellar Property Group on this truly
transformational project, we are committed to playing our part in revitalising
the area. As a key transport hub into London, it is imperative that this
innovative project reflects the dynamism of the capital and brings about a
much-needed rejuvenation to Paddington to enhance the experience for residents
and visitors.”
Irvine Sellar, Chairman of Sellar Property Group, commented, “We believe
this exciting proposal will tap into the potential of Paddington and will prove
to be a major catalyst for the continuing enhancement of the area, especially
Praed Street – in much the same way that The Shard did for London Bridge. This
site shares much of the same DNA with its proximity to a major transport hub
with tube, railway lines and bus routes, a neighbouring leading teaching
hospital and the potential to provide much needed quality public realm.”
Renzo Piano, of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, added, “The creation of
urban public realm has been at the forefront of our design. The current public
realm in Paddington is poor, with congestion in and around the entrance to the
Bakerloo line leading to frequent closures. This scheme looks to remedy those
issues, while creating a wonderful sense of place which Paddington greatly
needs.”
A planning application will be submitted later this
year.