Schroder UK Real Estate Fund, or SREF, the owner of Hammersmith's Kings Mall says it has begun a "retail and leisure revolution" at the shopping centre, with an extensive programme of works which will improve both the exterior and interior and add a new entrance.

The fund says its plans to transform the scheme into a new "standout retail and leisure hub" have begun with the arrival of two new stores and a brand new gym.

Fashion chain New Look has signed a 20 year lease on a major new unit, created by combining two units formerly housing River Island and Starbucks. The new New Look is expected to open to the public before Christmas.

SREF says it has also signed a deal to bring Frame gym to King’s Mall on a 15 year lease. This will be the first gym in West London for Frame, which already has four gyms across London in Shoreditch, Queen’s Park, Victoria and King’s Cross and was recently named ‘the number one gym in London’ by the Evening Standard.

The gym will be set across two levels in the Mall, including the currently unused basement and will also include a health café and a Frame shop selling gym wear and accessories.

Recent arrival Italian cosmetics company, KIKO Milano has also now signed a ten year lease at Kings Mall, selling range of professional make-up, skin care products and beauty accessories, along with its four limited edition product ranges.

Harry Pickering, Investment Manager for SREF, said: "These latest signings demonstrate our commitment to providing quality, exciting amenities for those living and working in Hammersmith and the wider area.

"At the forefront of our ongoing enhancement strategy across our Kings Mall estate is the goal of creating a scheme which encourages people to live, work and play in the area, enjoying the unique lifestyle, retail and leisure brands available to them."

SREF acquired the shopping centre from the Matterhorn Palos Partnership in 2015 for £153 million as part of a portfolio of assets in Hammersmith and says it is set to significantly strengthen the mall’s tenant and leisure mix over the year ahead, whilst providing security of tenure to key existing tenants.

A substantial internal refurbishment programme is also underway at One Lyric Square, the fund’s office building adjoining Kings Mall, including works to transform a redundant rooftop plant to free up extra office space.

March 17, 2017