Landmark development, Southbank Place, is announcing a significant milestone with the opening of its first retail unit. GAIL’s Bakery opened the doors of its latest store on Thursday 25th October. Set to become one of London’s most exciting riverside destinations, the artisan bakery is the first in a wave of notable retailers who will occupy the units on the 5.25 acre area surrounding the Shell building.
The 1,185 sq. ft. unit will allow GAIL’s Bakery to bring an award-winning range of freshly-baked bread, pastries and cakes, as well as a brunch menu. From its first opening in 2005, GAIL’s has maintained its core ethos of everyday baking using the best ingredients that can be sourced.
GAIL’s will shortly be joined by a large-format Marks & Spencer at 10,000 sq. ft., a 5,000 sq. ft. Boots and Knight Frank’s flagship office, which will span 2,410 sq. ft. These are set to open later in the year.
Visited by over 22 million people each year, the South Bank is one of London’s most popular tourist destinations, with Southbank Place set to become the jewel in the crown of the area. The mixed-use development, which features seven beautifully designed buildings, will include a prominent piazza and collection of public squares providing the perfect destination to live, work and relax.
Commenting on the opening, Richard Oakes, Executive Director at Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, stated: “It is a fantastic milestone to see GAIL’s open its doors and welcome in the first customers to our brand new retail community at Southbank Place. The retail units have proved very popular with a strong uptake rate and I am certain that GAIL’s and the others opening onsite will see a fantastic footfall. It’s a testament to the attractiveness and prominence of the development.”
Tom Molnar, CEO and co-founder of GAIL’s, commented: “We are delighted to be opening at Southbank Place. We look forward to meeting and baking for our new neighbours.”
Developed by Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group plc and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, the site will in total provide 48,000 sq. ft. of shops, restaurants and bars, plus 530,000 sq. ft. of office space, and a direct entrance to London Waterloo Station.
Once completed the mixed-use development is expected to provide over 6,000 jobs, while the construction project will continue over the next two years and is anticipated to have supported over 13,000 construction and supply chain jobs over the lifetime of the build process.
Currently in its third phase, Southbank Place’s latest residential offering is Belvedere Gardens, a collection of 97 apartments arranged across conjoined 10 and 20 storey buildings. These design-driven apartments will vary in price and size, with all one-bedroom apartments sold, two-bedroom apartments start from £2.145 million.
