Blackfriars high-rise commercial scheme gets the go-ahead

Developer Hines has secured a resolution to grant planning approval from Southwark Council to build a new, landmark office and residential development at 18 Blackfriars Road in south London.

The approval which was secured working with architects Foster + Partners, and Lipton Rogers, allows Hines to breathe new life into a two-acre brownfield site that has remained undeveloped for 20 years.

18 Blackfriars Road is designed to be fossil fuel free, 100% electric and net zero carbon in operation, with 95% of the site heat demand served by ground source heat pumps that share, store and offset energy.

Ross Blair, Senior Managing Director and Country Head of Hines UK, said: “Our plans will transform the site into much needed new homes and first class, sustainable and tech-enabled offices, built around a central hub which we hope will become a brand-new convening space for the local community.”

The new scheme will consist of three buildings, two delivering over 400 new homes, with 40% being affordable. The third will create 74,300m² of office space featuring outdoor terraces on every third floor.

Plans also include 1,850m² of new affordable workspace for local and socially minded enterprises, assembly rooms for use by the local community, modern educational space with links to local institutions, children’s play areas and a new, central public space with retail and food outlets situated at the heart of the development.