Photography by Julian Osley
Photo by: Julian Osley
London’s Royal Docks will be reborn as a creative hub after Newham Council granted planning permission for a £3.5 billion redevelopment of the Silvertown area.
Millennium Mills – an art deco landmark built in the early 20th century – is the lynchpin of the Silvertown Quays master plan, drawn up by Fletcher Priest Architects. Vacant since the 1980s, the 450,000 sq ft former flour mill will be turned into a space for tech and media companies.
The conversion of the mill is scheduled for completion in 2018, when Crossrail is due to arrive at nearby Custom House. A pedestrian bridge will be built to connect Silvertown with the station.
Shops, restaurants, a school and up to 3,000 homes are also included in the Silvertown regeneration scheme, which has been compared to New York’s Meatpacking District – a revitalised former industrial area.
‘This part of London is now destined to be a creative hub for our capital, offering a new, easily accessible location for a range of businesses, as well as housing for,’ says Simon Webster, CEO of The Silvertown Partnership responsible for the project. ‘It is a much-needed scheme for this part of London.’
Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales adds: ‘This multi-billion pound transformation is a fantastic opportunity to reinvigorate the Royal Docks area, giving it a new lease of life benefiting Newham and the capital as a whole.’
London mayor Boris Johnson, along with the transport secretary and communities secretary, will need to rubber-stamp the plans before work can begin.
