The Bankside Yards project will bring the historic railway arches to life, celebrating their heritage and distinct character while providing a spectacular space for a lively mix of new amenities.
– Midori Ainoura

The residential offering of the South Bank of London's River Thames is set to be reshaped with projects by PLP Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).

PLP, working with Native Land, recently received planning approval for new proposals for its Eastern Yards site, part of the £1bn ($1.25bn, €1.13bn) Bankside Yards mixed-use development for which planning consent was given in 2014 and construction began in 2019.

PLP created the full masterplan for the Bankside Yards development between Blackfriars Bridge and Tate Modern, which will cover 1.4 million sq ft (130,000sq m) and include new homes, offices, cultural, retail and leisure amenities and landscaped public spaces.

It will be based around a historic railway viaduct and will transform the structure to make use of its arches as retail, restaurant and cultural units.

The newly approved Eastern Yards section of the development will cover 550,000sq ft (51,000sq m) and contain five new buildings.

It will bring 341 new homes to the area – an increase of 109 from the original application – an "international standard five-star hotel", office space, additional retail space and 30 per cent more open space.

Midori Ainoura, partner at PLP, said: "Bankside Yards will create a new neighbourhood for Central London with homes, shops, offices and hospitality incorporated along an enhanced riverfront.

"The project will bring the historic railway arches to life, celebrating their heritage and distinct character while providing a spectacular space for a lively mix of new amenities. By opening up the viaduct for the first time in 150 years, the scheme will also connect two of London’s major cultural destinations, the Tate Modern and Southbank Centre, with a new cultural quarter.

"Eight new public realm spaces along with two dedicated cultural spaces are woven into the district to create a new urban experience. With carefully-crafted, human-centric placemaking, the development will significantly transform the area and establish a next-generation mixed-use destination welcoming residents, workers and visitors alike."

To the east of Blackfriars Bridge, meanwhile, Southbank Tower will be relaunched to the residential market at the end of 2020 with a new lobby designed by ZHA to reference the "intricate, organic forms of flower petals."

The tower's two- and three-bedroom apartments will be furnished by Armani/Casa and will offer views of the Thames, as well as some of London's nearby landmarks.

Residents will have access to a cultural programme created by The Old Vic promising experiences that "cannot be found in any other London residential location", such as leading fireside talks from leading speakers from the art and culture industries and tailored gallery tours of new exhibitions.

The building will also feature a 10th-floor roof garden, an adjoining residents’ lounge with dining facilities, a swimming pool with a gym and a spa and a six-seat cinema.

Richard Gabelich from SF Asset Advisory, who are acting on behalf of the private investor delivering the project, said: "Southbank Tower boasts one of the best locations in the world, with unrivalled views of London’s iconic skyline and historic landmarks. We want to enhance the Tower’s already exclusive offering to redefine what residents can expect from their living experience.

"Working with Zaha Hadid Architects, Armani/Casa and The Old Vic perfectly complements the elegance and sophistication of the Tower and together we can elevate residents’ homes and lifestyle to create unique and inspiring collaborations within and around the Tower."