Recently, we became lead consultant for the Kingston Riverside regeneration project.
This project involves three riverside units within the John Lewis Partnership building. Originally a restaurant, a nightclub and an undercroft, the units have been vacant for years. The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames’ (RBK) regeneration team aims to bring this section of the riverside back into use with the funding they have secured.
Currently, this area is a cut-through from Canbury Gardens to the town centre riverside. In contrast, the area on the opposite side of the bridge is lively, with many restaurants and attractions. The hope is that this project will revive this area which has sat idle with little to offer for too long.
The strip-out of the building is starting now and then the next step will be the fit-out. Chawton Hill’s role at present is to progress the scheme. We are working on the fit-out design for two of the three units. What were the restaurant and nightclub, will now become a new flexible office space. The space’s design is both modern and sustainable, with views over the river. However, the undercroft will be developed by a local community group, Creative Youth. An arts charity will be providing a shared exhibition and performance space. The council’s aim over the next 10 years for these spaces is for it to create 500 new jobs in the community and boost the local economy. Find out more about the council’s aims and how this project will benefit Kingston in this article.
After that, the final step will be the public realm works. Interestingly, this phase of the project’s design was part of a competition. The winner of the competition was WR-AP an architecture practice in Teddington. The firm won as a result of their low-cost, environmentally friendly ideas which include a living wall. They envisage a vibrant new public space for the community. Find out more about the ideas WR-AP have for this area in this article.
In short, we are very excited about the project and to see the outcomes. Keep an eye out for more updates on the Kingston riverside regeneration project here.
Finally, if you would like to know more about Chawton Hill’s refurbishment, alteration and extension services click here.