The regeneration of Woolwich and The Royal Arsenal
The regeneration of Woolwich and Royal Arsenal Riverside district is one of the most exciting projects this generation will witness. Developing this previously under-loved and unappreciated area of London will create a whole new vibrant destination.
With Crossrail, a new Woolwich is being generated, and is set to become one of London’s most sought after cultural hubs. Like all of London, Woolwich’s history is one of change and development, closely associated with the Royal Artillery and Engineering Corps.
In Woolwich’s dockyards, Henry VIIIs flagship and later Charles Darwin’s Beagle were built. After the closure of the docks, Woolwich was dominated by the Royal Military Academy, Ordinance Factories and Artillery Barracks. In total, Woolwich boasts over 60 of Greenwich’s listed buildings, many of which are triumphs of Edwardian Baroque and Modern Architecture.
The majority of these buildings form part of the Royal Arsenal area, and are at the centre of the Royal Arsenal Riverside development. Twenty years ago, much of the Woolwich riverside area was derelict, brownfield land. Since then the area has undergone a huge physical transformation.
Modern apartment and retail areas mix with restored and refurbished Georgian buildings. Amongst these are gastropubs, cafes, restaurants, paved squares and landscaped gardens. Starting with the development and regeneration of the 88 acre Royal Arsenal and Barracks, Woolwich is being renewed and redeveloped from a former military town to a cultural hub.
Within this vibrant development, new restaurants, pubs, theatres, performance and artistic spaces are turning Woolwich into a town with a strong evening and weekend life. Amongst the Heritage Listed barracks, foundries, laboratories and warehouses of the Arsenal some of the most exciting, innovative residential buildings are emerging.
The dramatic redevelopment of Royal Arsenal Riverside has created a public square and heritage centre, improvements to the Thames Path and a new park. Over the next few years, High Street and Spray Street will be revitalised with pedestrianised areas and parks as well as new retail and commercial spaces.
Woolwich’s transport infrastructure will be boosted by the opening of the Crossrail/Elizabeth Line station within the Royal Arsenal Riverside development. This will bring Canary Wharf within seven minutes and the City within 20 minutes of Woolwich.
British Land and the Woolwich Estate
In February 2018, British Land acquired the 4.9 acre Woolwich Estate for £103 million which covers much of the high street and town centre retail spaces. The estate includes over 50,000 sq ft of residential and 3,000 sq ft of office space.
British Land are experts in placemaking, in sustainable development and in creating retail, residential and commercial environments which meets the needs of the whole community. British Land’s purchase of this estate means that regeneration will now stretch into the very heart of Woolwich, bringing further residential, retail and community spaces. British Land have worked together with Crossrail to help areas benefit fully from the arrival of the Elizabeth Line.
The acquisition will transform the town centre and high street, providing mixed-use retail, commercial and residential spaces, which in turn will create a thriving retail centre for a well-connected, regenerating part of London.
Creating London’s newest cultural hub Woolwich is establishing itself as a cultural and creative hub. In the new Cultural Quarter, Dash Arts will become the resident artistic and acting group, while younger generations of dancers and actors are created at the Academy of Performing Arts.
Woolwich is developing a reputation as a foodie hotspot with a vast variety of drinking and dining choices. Woolwich’s four big pubs (Dial Arch, The Guardhouse, Equitable and the Taproom) are accompanied by cafes, new restaurants and a street food festival.
With the addition of a new 450 seat theatre, Woolwich offers food, drink and entertainment for every taste. The transformation of Woolwich is about creating spaces and places for people, as much as creating homes and cultural venues.
When the transformation of Woolwich is complete, Spray Street will be converted into a pedestrian quarter. Described as the ‘beating heart of Woolwich’, this area will house 650 new homes, offices, shops, cafes, a cinema and public spaces.
At the same time, Love Lane and Thomas Street will feature a pocket park, cafes and bars. Gordon Square, which currently features Woolwich’s ‘Big Screen’, will be further developed to include a brand new leisure centre.
These dining and cultural destinations will further enhance Woolwich’s cultural credentials, which already include the annual Tall Ships festival, an international film festival, a food festival and the Greenwich & Woolwich Festival of the Moon.