MORE LIGHT, MORE POWER

HISTORY
The Goodsyard is the name of the former Bishopsgate Goods Yard site, the area that surrounds Shoreditch High Street Station, and is owned by Network Rail. 

It has been a rail transport hub since the 1840s, but in 1964 a fire left the site mostly derelict.  Today it is back on the map thanks to the Overground (2010), with Powerleague (football pitches) and Boxpark using the site on a temporary basis until development begins.

THE DEVELOPMENT
London's largest brownfield site after King’s Cross has lain derelict for half a century.  The current process was given impetus in 2010 with the publication of Interim Planning Guidance, which set out a framework to develop proposals for the site. 

Key design principles set out in the guidance include creating two new East-West links through the site, the provision of housing for Londoners, employment opportunities, new public open spaces, community facilities, re-using historic structures, responding to local character and ensuring sustainable development.

PROJECT FACTS
For the developers' website, click here.  For the current masterplan please click here.

• Size:  4.7 hectares (11.6 acres, ie 7.5 international football pitches) of land separating Shoreditch, Spitalfields, Brick Lane and the City fringe
• History:  Development mooted - and delayed, most recently by the financial crisis – for decades
• Complexity:  Straddles London boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets, historical entry point for goods into London, intersection of under- and over-ground rail networks, heritage elements, viewing corridor to St Paul’s
• Developers:  Joint venture partnership of Hammerson and Ballymore Group
• Context:  Plans to be submitted in the midst of increasing debate surrounding the appropriateness of tall buildings in the evolution of London

THE CURRENT PROPOSALS

• Residential:  1,410 residential units, including affordable housing onsite (plus affordable offsite)
• 40+ Stories:  Two residential towers over 40 floors at the corner of Commercial Street and Shoreditch High Street (181m/593ft and 168m/551ft)
• 25+ Stories:  Four residential towers over 25 floors along Bethnal Green Road
• Commercial:  75,000 – 150,000m2 of non-residential space (retail, commercial and leisure)
• Retail:  Ground floor retail and active storefronts throughout
• Public Space:  17,800m2 of publicly accessible open space, including a south-facing public park
• Context:  Reconnect Shoreditch, Spitalfields, Brick Lane and the City fringe by opening the whole space to development

THE CHALLENGE
We support the development of the Goodsyard!  It is a good thing in principle.  We also recognise the unique challenges that the site presents to any commercial developer (straddling two London boroughs; complex under- and over-ground rail networks; heritage elements; viewing corridor to St Paul’s).

Maximising the benefits of a project of this size, location, potential and profile requires some of London’s most talented and progressive thinking.  The site is in a unique situation - next to Europe’s leading and wealthiest financial centre - it is also at the heart of the rapidly developing Tech City, the third-largest technology start-up cluster in the world.  Its size, position and potential offers a remarkable opportunity for an iconic development of stunning buildings, world class architecture and leading-edge technology creating a positive and sustainable environmental impact for generations to come.