Lend Lease to tender £1.3bn Stratford quarter in 2012

Contractors will be invited to tender for the first projects in Lend Lease’s £1.3bn International Quarter in Stratford in mid to late 2012, the developer has said.

Speaking at Mipim, project director Matt Beasley said that construction work on the 4m ft² scheme, adjacent to the Olympic Park, would begin in the second quarter of 2013 so that occupancy can begin in late 2014.

“It’s unique in terms of transport connections,” he said. “And you can go for a swim in the Olympic pool before you go to work.”

The site will be largely commercial, but also include 350 homes, four hotels, retail and childcare space.

Beasley said: “We’re looking at mid office tenants, corporate HQs and government tenants.”

“The plan is for 15-20 buildings of 5-20 storeys high,” said Beasley, adding that the entire project would be completed over 15 to 18 years.”

The Manhattan Loft Corporation, which recently fitted out London’s St. Pancras station, would be building a seven storey hotel with residential apartments above it, Beasley said.

He also said that he was hopeful that the Eurostar service from St. Pancras would stop in the newly upgraded Stratford station, although Eurostar have not yet made a decision. Arup are currently working as urban designers, and Buro Happold on the project infrastructure.