Architectural habitat for Greenwich culture vultures

A stunning new residential development in the heart of south east London’s creative hub, mixes culture and lifestyle in a stunning new scheme that combines sleek modern architecture with period restoration.

Paynes & Borthwick Wharves on the River Thames at Deptford, West Greenwich - one of the Capital’s most exciting urban quarters - will provide new art and workspace amenities for local creative talent as part of a mixed-use development providing 257 apartments.

The scheme features a brand new an 18-storey tower with outstanding river views, together with the retained and restored Italianate arches of Paynes Wharf. Designed by Assael Architects, it will open up the riverfront to the public, reinstating the historic route of Middle Watergate – a route that has been closed off for around 150 years.

Deptford is carving out a niche of its own – as South East London’s creative hub, home to artists, designers, performers, musicians and creative businesses.

Taking its cue from this local identity, Paynes & Borthwick Wharves will be making a real contribution to the local artistic culture not only through the creation of art and workspace amenities, but through its groundbreaking, new on-line arts magazine, known as the p&b cultural showcase. This promotes the very best artists and creative businesses in Deptford, Greenwich and Lewisham at www.pandbshowcase.com. The aim is for some of them to contribute works to the development or perform there in future.

The development offers a combination of 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom flats, plus top floor penthouses, in addition to 10 live/work units, located within the borough of Greenwich, famed for its maritime history, its Royal Park, university and a myriad of restaurants and bars.

There is easy access by public transport to the business centres of London: Canary Wharf is within 25 minutes via Cutty Sark DLR; the City and West End are within 20 and 40 minutes respectively via Deptford mainline station. International connections are also easy, with City Airport and Stratford International Station 45 and 40 minutes away respectively, via Cutty Sark DLR.

Paynes & Borthwick Wharves is one of a number of regeneration schemes that are marking Deptford’s renaissance. These include the nearby Convoys Wharf mixed-use development which will bring a range of homes, businesses and amenities to the locality as part of a major revitalisation of this riverside site.

Speaking about the project, Mark O’Grady of developers Lane Castle said: “Paynes & Borthwick Wharves is utterly unique – a new development that will be part of the fabric of the local creative community. Its river views and proximity not only to Greenwich but to Canary Wharf and Central London, coupled with the renaissance of South East London, must make it one of the most interesting opportunities in the market right now.”

Overall, the Paynes & Borthwick development will total some 32,500 sq m (350,000 sq ft) within the site area, which includes listed sections of Paynes Wharf with its dramatic Italienette arches, where the north, south and west exterior walls will be retained and incorporated into the new design. In addition to the 257 apartments, around 3,500 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of new commercial space is to be created at the lower levels, incorporating restaurant/café space, a magnificent gallery/cultural venue, and office/design studios.

With works on site well underway, the new development is scheduled for completion by Spring 2009. For further information, visit kingsturge.co.uk.