New visualisations of The Round, previously known as 18 Blackfriars Road, have been revealed.
The global real estate investor, developer and property manager Hines’ landmark office and residential project will be London’s lowest whole life carbon high-rise development.
The one million square-foot scheme breathes new life into a prominent brownfield site that has remained undeveloped for 20 years.
Nigel Dancey, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “Working closely with Hines, we have designed a healthy mixed-use development that plugs into – and significantly enhances – the existing urban fabric. The Round provides new homes, offices, retail and a wide range of cultural and community facilities, to bring this dormant site back to life.
“Vibrant new public spaces are central to design concept – connecting with a cycle highway and a number of public transport interchanges – to encourage car-free travel. Our proposal aspires to define the office of the future, with flexible floorplates for longevity and cascading green terraces, which bring a social dimension to the workplace.
“We are proud to be part of this pioneering vision for Southwark and look forward to commencing the next phase of the project on site.”
Ross Blair, Senior Managing Director and Country Head, Hines UK, said: “Our goal for the redevelopment of this long empty but strategically important central London site at The Round is to widen our approach beyond standard measures and facilities in homes and workplaces and to set new standards for wellness in design for development, with a scheme that is sustainable and also, which complements the spirit and character of the Bankside area.
“Hines has a long history in developing and operating places that put customer experience first, but this site with its cultural and riverside location presented an opportunity to take our ambitions a step further to create a place where people can truly thrive and do their best work.”
The design of the public realm will improve the quality of the built environment and will also create a sustainable and accessible community space with a rich mix of functions.
A podium integrates cultural, historic and educational components to create a sense of place, which is key to creating a development that continues to attract new people.
The car-free scheme is designed to be highly pedestrian friendly. It is within walking distance of seven bridges on the river Thames and three mainline railway stations, in addition to several cycle highways. 69 new trees enhance biodiversity across the site and improve its microclimate, while providing shade and shelter.
The office building offers a next-generation workplace, with sustainability woven through the design. By placing occupant wellbeing and sustainability at its heart – and including outstanding daylighting and sky garden amenities – the proposal will provide the spaces, services and activities that make people, places and businesses thrive. A garden every three floors brings greenery to the façade but also enhances connectivity with nature. The mixed-use nature of The Round and the multi-level amenity spaces encourage social interaction.
The residential component has been designed to support a diverse population with mixed tenure and a variety of unit types to respond to individual requirements and lifestyles. Heavily articulated facades and external balconies maximise dual aspect units.
The Round is designed to be fossil fuel free, 100% electric and Net Zero Carbon in operation, with 95% of the site heat demand served by ground source heat pumps that share, store and offset energy.
It aims be the first high-rise scheme in the UK to achieve the WELL Community Gold Standard, which certifies developments that support health and wellbeing.
