Planning Application Submitted for Thames Wharf Redevelopment
New buildings up to nine storey high include space for River Cafe to stay on
As expected, London & Regional Properties has submitted a planning application for a residential redevelopment of Thames Wharf - including space for the River Cafe.
The iconic Hammersmith site is being redeveloped after the departure of achitects Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, who are moving to City skyscraper the Leadenhall Building, which has been nicknamed the Cheesegrater.
The practice designed the Cheesegrater and have also drawn up the plans for the redevelopment.
The Livingstone brothers’ property company, with partner Knightsbridge Holdings, is seeking approval to demolish existing buildings and build two new apartment blocks which will be six to nine storeys high.
The plans would also retain and convert buildings fronting Rainville Road, providing a total of 57 residential units, as well as some office and retail space.
The application, registered on February 12 is as follows: Demolition of existing buildings adjacent to the River Thames and redevelopment of the site comprising the construction of two buildings with balconies (one part six, part seven-storey and one part six, part seven, part nine-storey plus mezzanine) together with the retention and conversion of the buildings fronting Rainville Road; provision of a total of 57 residential units (Class C3); 699 sq.m ground floor office space (Class B1); 116 sq.m flexible restaurant/office space (Class B1/A3) and retention of a 544 sq.m restaurant (Class A3); with new access arrangements, basement car parking; cycle parking and associated landscaping.
When the practice first announced it was moving there was some uncertainty over the future of Hammersmith's most celebrated restaurant, with a spokesman for the practice saying that the Michelin starred River Cafe, which is owned and run by Lord Rogers' wife Ruth, would have the option to renew its current lease when it runs out at the end of next year.
However, the planning application indicates that the River Cafe will remain on the redeveloped site, as predicted last month by trade publication Building Design.
According to the publication, an insider said: " The café may have to close down for a while, but it closed once before, for six months, following a fire in 2008. It was then reopened to much fanfare.
"That could happen again."
Richard - now Lord - Rogers set up the practice in 1977 and in 1983 it acquired Thames Wharf Studios and converted it from the Duckham’s oil facility into offices, workshops, housing and the ground floor River Cafe.
March 16, 2017