Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group to start on site this year on one of London’s largest redevelopment schemes

Shell Centre 1

Construction of one of London’s largest redevelopment schemes will begin by the end of the year, after Lambeth Council approved plans to redevelop the city’s Shell Centre.

The 1.45m sq ft mixed-use scheme on the South Bank has been masterplanned by Squire & Partners and is being developed by the Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar.

Six architects – including Squires, KPF and Stanton Williams – have designed elements of the 5.25-acre mixed-use scheme, including eight new towers.

The scheme will retain the famous 27-storey Shell Centre Tower and the building’s main occupier Shell will take a further 245,000 sq ft of office space in the wider scheme.

Joint developers Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar said the development is planned for completion in 2019.

The scheme will comprise of 800,000 sq ft of office space (including the Shell Centre Tower), around 80,000 sq ft of retail units, restaurants and cafes and 790 new homes, including affordable housing.

The other buildings are designed by Squire & Partners, Patel Taylor and GRID Architecture. Townshend Landscape Architects has designed the landscaping and public realm.

Sir George Iacobescu, chairman and chief executive, Canary Wharf Group, said: “We are delighted that Lambeth Council has approved these plans for us to work on such an important and historical site.

“We will continue to work with the London Borough of Lambeth and the local community as we move to the next phase of planning and development to ensure that all involved in the area get the best possible opportunities from this new development.”

Qatari Diar Group chief executive Khaled Al Sayyed, said: “Our development will be a unique place to live and work in the centre of London, providing locals and visitors alike with much needed public space, entertainment and culture.”

Ed Daniels, country chair, Shell UK, said: ‘This approval is an extremely positive step for a development that will not just regenerate Lambeth and provide vitality to the local community, but also secure the long-term future for Shell and it’s London based staff on the South Bank.’

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