Great Western Developments Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore publicly listed Hotel Properties Limited, and its development partner Sellar Property Group has unveiled development proposals for 31 London Street, the former Royal Mail sorting office. Adjacent to Paddington Station, the scheme will create a transformative mixed-use development with world-class public realm at its heart.
With the arrival of Crossrail in 2018, Paddington is set to become an even more important destination. Paddington’s passenger growth is projected to raise the station from London’s eighth busiest to London’s fourth – comparable to Waterloo, Victoria, London Bridge and Liverpool Street. The surrounding infrastructure must adapt and revitalise to reflect the importance of Paddington as a key gateway into London, and at the same time improve visitor experience.
Sellar Property Group, previously responsible for The Shard development, together with architects Renzo Piano Building Workshop have designed over an acre of new urban public realm to complement Paddington Station. This new public space will address many of the challenges currently faced by Londoners and visitors by easing congestion, improving connectivity and creating a world-class experience.
The proposed development will significantly enhance connectivity for the Bakerloo line, while creating a much deserved front door and an elegant new building for London topped with a stunning open-air roof garden, inspired by Kew Gardens and London’s garden squares, offering panoramic views of London. The new public realm will also improve connectivity to St Mary’s Hospital and blend sympathetically with the hospital’s own emerging masterplan.
The development at 31 London Street will bring a £1billion investment to the area, over 200 new homes, more than 150,000 sq.ft. of new office space specifically designed to encourage occupation in small suites by dynamic companies. This office space will form part of a catalyst to create jobs and drive much-needed investment to Paddington. The development also includes approximately 50,000 sq.ft. of high quality retail, restaurants and cafés that will make it a destination in its own right.
Chris Lim, Group Executive Director of Hotel Properties Limited, commented, “By partnering with Sellar Property Group on this truly transformational project, we are committed to playing our part in revitalising the area. As a key transport hub into London, it is imperative that this innovative project reflects the dynamism of the capital and brings about a much-needed rejuvenation to Paddington to enhance the experience for residents and visitors.”
Irvine Sellar, Chairman of Sellar Property Group, commented, “We believe this exciting proposal will tap into the potential of Paddington and will prove to be a major catalyst for the continuing enhancement of the area, especially Praed Street – in much the same way that The Shard did for London Bridge. This site shares much of the same DNA with its proximity to a major transport hub with tube, railway lines and bus routes, a neighbouring leading teaching hospital and the potential to provide much needed quality public realm.”
Renzo Piano, of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, added, “The creation of urban public realm has been at the forefront of our design. The current public realm in Paddington is poor, with congestion in and around the entrance to the Bakerloo line leading to frequent closures. This scheme looks to remedy those issues, while creating a wonderful sense of place which Paddington greatly needs.”
A planning application will be submitted later this year.
