Multiplex set for first stage of £1bn Blackfriars job

Multiplex is tipped to land its second major London scheme in a week with the firm being lined up for the first phase of a huge £1bn scheme in Blackfriars.

Building understands the firm has pipped Balfour Beatty for the Western Yards scheme which is being developed by Native Land. A pitch from Mace was dropped earlier in the process.

The work will include an 18-storey office block, called Arbor, as well as two residential buildings comprising 257 homes – a 49-storey tower and a smaller 13-storey block.

The two tallest towers have been designed by PLP with Arbor due to complete in September 2021 while the 49-storey tower will be finished at the end of the following year. The 13- storey block has also been designed by PLP.

The scheme, which is being funded by a mixture of Malaysian and Singaporean investors, will also include revamping 14 railway arches in the area to make way for 50,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and cultural space.

Western Yards is part of the wider development called Bankside Yards which also includes Sampson House on the other side of the railway line that runs into and out of the nearby Blackfriars station – rebuilt by Balfour.

Multiplex has also beaten Mace to carry out the redevelopment of the Elephant & Castle shopping centre in south London.

The job has been designed by Allies and Morrison for developer Delancey.

The scheme, on two sites totalling 3.6ha, will include 979 homes, a new college building for the University of the Arts London, leisure and office space and a new station.