The London Borough of Croydon today announced a major new deal to open a new Boxpark Marketplace next to East Croydon train station.
Boxpark, which opened the world’s first pop-up mall in Shoreditch, East London in 2011, has teamed up with Croydon Council, Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (SREF) and Stanhope plc. to bring forward a new Boxpark at Ruskin Square, Croydon.
Work is already underway at Ruskin Square, SREF and Stanhope’s £500 million, two million sq. ft. mixed-use scheme, with Places For People appointed to build and manage the construction of the first residential phase of 161 new homes, due to be completed in 2016. In total, Ruskin Square is set to create up to 1.25 million sq. ft. of office accommodation, 625 new homes and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of retail, café and restaurant space.
Work on Boxpark Croydon is set to begin immediately with an opening scheduled for Summer 2016.
Boxpark, which is constructed of stripped and refitted shipping containers, has been designed by Gavin Elliott of architecture practice BDP and will include 80 units arranged around a covered courtyard space made available for year-round events.
In line with its Shoreditch forerunner, Boxpark Croydon will focus on small independent retailers to create a unique shopping and dining experience. This will transform the quality of the retail and leisure offer in Croydon and is expected to draw customers and new businesses from across South London, Surrey and Sussex. Offering a click and collect service, Boxpark Marketplace will allow customers to physically shop for products in stores, as well as purchase and share items online and on their mobile.
Boxpark’s founder and CEO Roger Wade said:
“Croydon is one of the last London boroughs to be developed. Stratford, White City and Nine Elms have all seen recent new developments. I want everyone to re-think their view of Croydon. It’s the home of Kate Moss, Tracey Emin, and now Boxpark! “
Croydon Council is supporting the delivery of Boxpark Croydon alongside the Greater London Authority (GLA), SREF and Stanhope, all of whom are investing in the pre-development works. It is envisaged that the project will deliver substantial and immediate benefits to the local economy including 200 new jobs, as well as a range of apprenticeship opportunities to be delivered by Boxpark in conjunction with Croydon College.
By offering flexible leases and affordable rents, Boxpark Croydon will offer small businesses, as well as established brands, a route to market. Start-up brands will also be given priority at Boxpark Croydon.
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader of Croydon Council and cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said:
“This is great news for Croydon residents and a real sign of the progress and regeneration that is happening in our borough.
“Located at one of the main gateways to Croydon, it means that the moment people arrive they will immediately see the exciting transformation of our town centre taking place.
“Boxpark will help attract more visitors to the area and provide a fantastic alternative shopping experience.
“We’ve seen how successful it has been in Shoreditch and we are really confident of replicating that here.”
James Lass, Fund Manager, SREF, said:
“The deal secured with the creators of Boxpark is a hugely significant milestone, not only for Ruskin Square but for the wider regeneration drive currently taking place in Croydon. The arrival of such a celebrated and unique brand supports Croydon’s exciting transformation into a vibrant commercial, retail and leisure destination.”
Jason Margrave, Development Director, Stanhope, said:
“We are on site building the first phase of residential and have detailed planning permission for the first office building so it is great that we have reached an agreement with Boxpark to take temporary space at Ruskin Square to offer their unique brand of shopping, restaurants and cafes. This will help to bring an increased vibrancy and sense of arrival at East Croydon station, foregrounding the mix of uses proposed within the wider Ruskin Square development.”
Gavin Elliott, director of architecture at BDP said:
“As a designer with a long-standing enthusiasm for creating memorable structures using upcycled shipping containers, working with Roger Wade and his team on Boxpark Croydon has been a dream commission. We are all intent on delivering something truly unique and amazing; building on the experience of Boxpark Shoreditch, but taking it to the next level and beyond to create a really vibrant, buzzing place, right in the heart of Croydon.”
[feather_share]
