Three years after work began on London's biggest regeneration project, the first residents are moving in. This marks the beginning of a new community on the South Bank.
"This is a key date in one of the most exciting redevelopment stories in Europe", says Sean Ellis, Chairman of St James. "Nine Elms will redefine the geography of our capital. Just three years since planning consent for the scheme was granted, we have residents moving in. It shows you can deliver fantastic homes in London quickly."
Taking its architectural expression from the former industrial warehouse buildings that lined the river,
Riverlight is designed by iconic architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. In their signature style, there are six contemporary pavilions that range from 12 to 20 storeys with exterior glass walled elevators. The residences are designed to maximise sunlight and the dramatic views across the river.
Over 75% of the site, some four acres, comprises of landscaped outdoor spaces and there will be shops, cafés, restaurants and a crèche. There will be 813 homes and an exclusive clubhouse, pool and gym for residents housed in Riverlight One where the first residents are moving in.
Nine Elms is looking to become the generator not just of new homes but also culture. As well as providing gallery space for recognised artists, the Nine Elms project also hopes to encourage young aspiring creatives in the area. St James has provided the nearby Royal College of Art with a five-year rent free studio space at the base of Riverlight One.
Hailed by London mayor Boris Johnson as "the last and greatest single prospect for regeneration in central London", the revival of Nine Elms, Vauxhall and the Albert Embankment is the final chapter inthe transformation of London's South Bank. St James alone has contributed £58.3m to the local community and by 2020, the 195 hectare site will becompletely transformed. This will include the extension of the Northern Line and two new tubestations, new schools, 18,000 homes, a nine acre park and the creation of up to 25,000 new jobs.
St James is a member of the Berkeley Group which over the last five years has built a total of 15,750 new homes and 10% of all new homes in the capital. The design conscious developer is also creating two schemes nearby in the future destination location of Albert Embankment; The Merano Residences by Rogers, Stirk, Harbour + Partners and The Corniche by Foster + Partners.
A limited collection of apartments and penthouses are available at Riverlight starting at £800,000 and the scheme will complete in 2017. For further information, please contact St James on 020 7870 9620 or visit www.riverlightlondon.com