£8.4 Billion Greenwich Peninsula Development Reveals Its Stunning Heart

Knight Dragon, the developers of the ambitious and soon to be iconic Greenwich Peninsula transformation in London, have unveiled the £8.4 billion project's landmark piece.

At £1 billion, the project known as Peninsula Place was designed by international architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, and is set to help transform Greenwich Peninsula into a true London cultural district.

Residents and visitors to the Peninsula will arrive from the tube into an 80-feet high winter garden and glass galleria. The scheme will total 1.4 million square feet including a new tube and bus station, theatre, cinema and performance venue, bars, shops and a wellbeing hub. Above this will rise three towers of workspaces, apartments and hotels, all connected to the Thames by a stunning new land bridge.

Peninsula Place is part of the Peninsula Central neighbourhood. Sitting next to The O2, this neighbourhood will be home to a variety of residences, including within Peninsula Place by Calatrava and two buildings designed by Greenwich Peninsula’s masterplanners Allies & Morrison. Together these will provide 800 new homes, 200 of which will be affordable. These add to the hundreds of new homes that have been built to date by Knight Dragon across three new neighbourhoods, and which people are already calling home.

Santiago Calatrava is the latest architect to be commissioned by Knight Dragon. Chosen for his world-class designs and experience in delivering transport hubs, Calatrava joins a list of other architects including SOM, Marks Barfield, DSDHA, Alison Brooks and Duggan Morris who are also helping make Greenwich Peninsula a world-renowned destination.

“My ambition is for Greenwich Peninsula to be a unique cultural destination for Londoners and visitors to this global city," Knight Dragon Vice Chairman Sammy Lee said.

"Calatrava's contribution will help ensure that the UK’s biggest regeneration project fulfils its potential to become just that."Knight Dragon are jointly spearheading the development of Peninsula Place with their partners the Greater London Authority and Transport for London.

Peninsula Place is in fact Santiago Calatrava's first project in London, which, along with the project, has also helped him design a big smile on the face of London's Mayor.

"I am delighted that Santiago Calatrava has chosen London for his first major project in the UK. This shows that London remains open to investment, trade and the very best talent from around the globe," Mayor Sadiq Khan said.

“I am also pleased to welcome Knight Dragon's continued investment in Greenwich Peninsula, providing much-needed infrastructure, shops, offices, and new genuinely affordable homes for Londoners."Santiago Calatrava said it was an honour to design Peninsula Place and was inspired by the area's "rich architectural heritage and the very special geography".

“It's a huge project and a huge responsibility,” Knight Dragon Vice Chairman Sammy Lee said.

“Something like this only happens once in a generation in London. We have big plans for the Peninsula and have the team, the determination and the finance to deliver them.”

The transformation of what was a disused site will not only provide thousands of much-needed new homes for Londoners, but also bring jobs as part of the wider regeneration of this key opportunity area.

Of the 15,720 homes, a minimum of 3930 will be affordable and will be included in every neighbourhood on the Peninsula. Knight Dragon had nearly 3,000 homes under construction in 2015, with 700 and counting homes already completed.

The 1.6 miles of the River Thames surrounding the Peninsula is set to experience a new lease of life. A 5km running track will sweep along the riverfront and weave through the neighbourhoods on the Peninsula. A floating performance space, The Jetty, has already opened and the MBNA Thames Clipper is set to increase its East London route. As the Peninsula develops, a possible direct Clipper service from Greenwich Peninsula to Canary Wharf was also considered.

Images courtesy Knight Dragon