Lendlease has announced the latest phase of the offer at Elephant Park, its Zone 1 London neighbourhood. Ten new retail and restaurant units are being created, and Lendlease is actively seeking a mix of local independent operators and London ‘hero’ brands for the new space.
Due to be completed in early 2024, the development is bounded by three distinct areas: Sayer Street, Heygate Street, and the destination’s two-acre public park, right in the centre of Elephant Park. The development will complete Sayer Street as a two-sided high street, adding several new operators to the dining hub that is already home to an eclectic mix of independent brands, including all-day eatery Bobo Social, Caribbean concept Tasty Jerk and authentic Pan Asian cuisine operator Pot & Rice. Of the 10 new units, three face onto the award-winning park with the potential for outdoor seating, and one is on Heygate Street, which is among the area’s busiest thoroughfares.
Elephant Park is already home to a collection of high street environments, including the leisure and lifestyle focused Ash Avenue, New Kent Road, and Walworth Road, which houses the Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library. All of these have been created to champion local businesses and people, encouraging the personality of Elephant & Castle to shine through. The area benefits from strong transport links that reach across London and the South East, welcoming over 23 million individuals passing through Elephant and Castle tube annually.
Guy Thomas, head of retail and place assets at Lendlease, commented: “This is the final substantial phase of Elephant Park’s retail and leisure provision, and will bring elements to enhance our vibrant environment, reinforcing our vision to reflect the character of Elephant and Castle and its people. We will introduce brands that complement what we have delivered so far, whether they are ‘London Heroes’, champion a social or sustainable point of difference, or match the neighbourhood feel already here.
“The growth of the area has been amazing to see, particularly throughout such a challenging economic environment since the launch of our initial phases. This next stage, to complete Sayer Street and deliver more parkside retail and hospitality, will only enhance its vibrancy, creating more reasons to visit Elephant Park.”
Michael Benson, founder of Bobo Social, said: “After relocating to Elephant Park’s Sayer Street in early 2020, Bobo Social has experienced great success due to the strength of our concept, the support from Lendlease, and the community built in this unique neighbourhood location. This latest development at Elephant Park will welcome new visitors to Elephant and Castle and carry on the momentum generated here over the past several years.”
Adding to the 18,000sq ft of commercial space, the development will also introduce 424 new apartments, creating even more opportunity for operators to appeal to an expanded, locally engaged audience.
Lendlease is delivering Elephant Park in partnership with Southwark Council. When complete, it will include over 3,000 homes, 50 retail and leisure units, and 50,000sq ft of workspace, all centred around a new two-acre park. The majority of this, and Elephant Park’s community, is already established.
CF Commercial, Nash Bond, and Shelley Sandzer are representing Lendlease.
