Regent's View on the Canal, Bethnal Green
Regeneration Case Study

• 4.5-acre brownfield site
• 555 homes, including 147 affordable homes
• Restoration and long-term retention of two Victorian gasholder frames
• 45,000 sq ft of commercial and community space, including a gym, cafes/bars and shops
• Best Future Residential Project” at the World Architecture Awards 2024

The award-winning masterplan, designed in partnership with world-renowned architects RHSP, will see two Victorian gasholders carefully restored to become the historic centrepieces of Regent’s View. The development includes five colourful and finely detailed cylindrical-shaped buildings, which celebrate the site’s industrial history and the unique character of this vibrant East London neighbourhood. 

Opening up a stretch of Regents Canal that has been inaccessible for more than 150 years, this once derelict site is being stitched back into the local fabric, creating almost 3 acres of welcoming public space, including a children’s playspace, new pedestrian links and natural habitats for people and wildlife to enjoy.

With restored banks of the Regent’s Canal, the community will be able to access this part of the canal for the first time in over 150 years.

• 95m canal walkway
• Improved access points onto the canal
• Walking and cycling routes throughout the development
• Over 45,000 square feet of commercial and community space set around a newly created 1.75 acre public park, including new restaurants and cafes along the restored banks of the Regents Canal

The masterplan for Regent’s View has been developed through extensive engagement and consultation with the local community to ensure that residents and businesses remain actively involved and benefit from the site’s redevelopment.

• Consultations with local residents and heritage groups throughout the planning process, including three days of public exhibitions, 15 one-to-one meetings, three local pop-up events, and walk-and-talk sessions with interested residents
• Invitations were distributed to over 8,000 homes, resulting in engagement with over 400 residents and 18 established community groups prior to submitting the planning application
• Since construction began in August 2022, regular communication with residents has been set up through various channels, including a newsletter that provides ongoing updates about the project

Regent’s View will include a mix of amenities and infrastructure that will encourage active, sustainable lifestyles.

• Target 10% biodiversity net gain 
• Over 50 new planted trees
• Over 1400 m2 of brown living roof
• 1.75 acres of publicly accessible green space will be created, including a children’s playspace and natural habitats for both people and wildlife to enjoy
• Walking and cycling routes throughout the development
• Sustainable urban location close to existing transport and social infrastructure
• 944 cycle storage spaces
• Incorporates sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) including rain gardens which improve the resilience of the development to future changes in climate and rainfall patterns 

• Low carbon energy strategy with high performing building fabric and favouring renewable and low-carbon technology (air source heat pumps, ambient loop network)
• 56 electric vehicle charging points
• Uses air source heat pumps
• 100% LED lighting
• Sustainable urban location close to public transport and town centre

The Employment and Skills Plan provides a mix of skills training, apprenticeships and job opportunities for local people.

• 38 of directly employed staff are apprentices, graduates or in long-term accredited training
• Prioritising local jobs for Tower Hamlets residents
• Curriculum planning and site tours with students from nearby Newham College 
• Partnerships with local charities including Streets of Growth and Oxford House to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people 
  
   

Planning Authorities: London Borough Tower Hamlets + Greater London Authority

Key stakeholders: Historic England 

Architect: RSHP 

Housing Association: Gateway Housing Association