JTRE London starts work on landmark 220 Blackfriars Road site
JTRE London has recently started work at 220 Blackfriars Road, set to become a landmark £400m mixed-use scheme delivered in partnership with Southwark Charities, marking a pivotal moment at a time where there are question marks around other central London schemes coming forward due to developer, contractor and supply chain uncertainty.
Specialist firm Downwell Enabling Ltd has started demolition of the current Edward Edwards House building, with residents moved to JTRE London’s recently completed Appleby Blue almshouse nearby, with no increased living costs and removal costs paid for by the charity. JTRE London will deliver the project via a construction management route. MBP has been appointed as the structural engineer while Hoare Lea has secured the contracts for MEP, energy and sustainability, fire and acoustic engineer. MRG Studio has been appointed as the landscape architect. Eckersley O'Callaghan has been appointed as the Façade Consultant on the project.
The new mixed-use scheme at 220 Blackfriars Road will provide an exemplar scheme with 21 and 15-storey towers set amongst attractive gardens and landscaping, with 223,000 sq. ft. of prime office space, a new almshouse with 64 homes, plus community centre and gardens. At ground level, a new space for a restaurant or café will create an attractive active frontage that welcomes the community.
“Despite wider uncertainty and volatility in the development and contractor market, we are pleased to be pushing forward with 220 Blackfriars Road, underpinning our significant investment and long-term commitment to creating exceptional spaces that improve the fabric of London for all stakeholders. With two architecturally striking and commercially successful schemes already completed in SE1, we remain highly confident in the area and especially with our proven construction management project delivery route. The scheme is a shining example of how the private, public and third sectors can work together to unlock development that is beneficial for all stakeholders including longstanding local residents on low incomes. This is particularly important at a time when local authority home building in Southwark has dropped by 96% over the past year.”
Juraj Marko, Joint Managing Director at JTRE London
The development truly embraces all aspects of ESG but leads the way in its Social Impact. The offices will be Net Zero Carbon in operation and is designed to target WELL Gold Building standards, BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5 to 5.5 rating, as well as Platinum Smart Score and Wired Score; the highest level achievable. The almshouses will provide truly affordable residential accommodation with high quality amenity space akin to prime London residential developments. The Charity Hub will offer office space for the voluntary and charity sector at a significantly discounted rent of c.80% whilst the creation of a new London garden square will be enjoyed by residents and the wider community alike.
The acquisition of the long leasehold interest of 220 Blackfriars Road takes JTRE London’s portfolio to nearly £1bn and continues the company’s rapid growth in the capital in less than five years.
JTRE London’s portfolio of projects include the recently completed Appleby Blue at 116 Southwark Park Road, an award winning, architecturally striking new almshouse development providing 57 genuinely affordable homes for older residents, operated by United St. Saviour’s Charity (USTSC) which works closely with Southwark Charities.
