Ballymore has been granted planning permission for a new 13-storey riverside office building at its landmark development, Embassy Gardens. Named EG:HQ, the development will provide 217,000 sq. ft. of flexible, contemporary space in zone 1 Nine Elms, in addition to 18,000 sq. ft. of outdoor amenity space which will include a 9,000 sq. ft. communal terrace and several private open-air terraces.
The office building will also comprise over 5,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail and restaurant space, alongside 330 cycle spaces and a cycle workshop to encourage sustainable travel to the new commercial area. Designed by architects Morris+Company, the building’s layout maximises large open floor space, fulfilling the growing desire for adaptable, flexible office space in central London. EG:HQ will also be equipped with six large terraces, designed so that each is specifically tailored for various uses, from yoga classes to outdoor meeting and break out spaces. With views over the River Thames, the terraces will encourage outdoor working, socialising and events throughout the year.
Set to complete in 2022, the building’s future tenants will count publishing giants Penguin Random House and world leading illustrated reference publisher DK as neighbours, both of which will move into One Embassy Gardens in 2020. They will also be a stone’s throw away from the new US Embassy, and will join tech leader Apple and the ‘New’ New Covent Garden Market, an epicentre of London’s creative food industry, as global business leaders seek to relocate to what is fast establishing itself as a new commercial district for London.
EG:HQ will also aim to capitalise on the lifestyle appeal of the area, which has recently benefitted from a huge influx of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants including the newly-launched Darby’s restaurant by chef Robin Gill and The Alchemist which will open later in 2019, joining (among others) Linnaean, District Coffee and Waitrose and many more commercial tenants set to relocate to Embassy Gardens in 2020.
The London Travel Zone One office will be a 10-minute walk from Vauxhall National Rail and tube (Victoria Line) stations, with the highly-anticipated Northern Line extension which will see two new stations open at Nine Elms and nearby Battersea Power Station, due to open in 2021, dramatically reducing commuter time for those travelling from central London and further afield. A proposed new footbridge will further boost connectivity to the transforming area along with two new passenger piers.
The development is also ideally situated to benefit from international business due to its proximity to the local heliport which is just 6 minutes flight from Biggin Hill Airport. In addition, Gatwick, Heathrow and London City airports are all under 35 minutes away, further cementing Embassy Gardens’ reputation as a global commercial hub.
John Mulryan, Group Managing Director, Ballymore, commented, “We’re very happy with the Council’s decision to grant permission to develop EG:HQ at Embassy Gardens. The design of the building really considers what people want in a contemporary office today, including huge outdoor areas, lots of retail space and a genuinely adaptable office environment. It’s set to be a great addition to London, and will attract some of the most exciting businesses to join our community at Embassy Gardens.”
