Mercato Metropolitano to launch MM Factory at Elephant Park
Elephant Park, a partnership between Lendlease and Southwark Council to deliver a £2.3bn regeneration project in Elephant & Castle, has announced that sustainable community food market operator, Mercato Metropolitano, has signed for 17,500 sq ft of retail, dining and social space to launch MM Factory, due to open in Summer 2019.
As an anchor tenant, MM Factory will be situated at an important gateway to Elephant Park, facing onto Sayer Street – a new street for local and independent businesses – as well as overlooking Grade II listed Walworth Town Hall on Walworth Square, and will play a major role in establishing this part of the Elephant Park masterplan as a new food hub for London.
Founded in Milan in 2015, the Mercato Metropolitano concept has become known as the city’s sustainable community market. Following this successful proof of concept, a UK debut meanwhile-use site focussing on artisan producers, urban farms, community activities and cultural programmes throughout the year, launched in Elephant & Castle in 2016. Mercato Metropolitano’s first site has generated more than 200 permanent new jobs, creating longer term sustainable changes in employment, skills and opportunity within the area.
Guy Thomas, head of retail at Lendlease, said: “The new MM Factory from Mercato Metropolitano will bring a vibrant and varied offer to Elephant Park serving Elephant & Castle’s diverse community. Lendlease is committed to creating the best places with longevity, sustainability and a strong sense of community, and like-minded Mercato Metropolitano is the perfect anchor tenant to help us deliver on this promise.”
Nash Bond and CF Commercial represented Lendlease.
