Art-Invest Real Estate (Art-Invest) is pleased to announce that Southwark Borough Council has resolved to grant outline planning consent for the development of Canada Water Dockside, an office-led scheme in Canada Water.

Canada Water Dockside, which marks Art-Invest’s largest investment in London to date, is a 4.5-acre site adjacent to British Land’s Canada Water masterplan area. Approval of the outline planning application will see Art-Invest bring forward plans for 1.5 million sq ft of workspace, alongside community spaces, and new places to eat and drink across the ground floor.

Strategically located in Zone 2, Canada Water Dockside is extremely well-connected to the City, central and east London, and set within an established local community with easy access to a mix of green open spaces with frontage onto the water. 

Designed by internationally renowned architects, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group the scheme is inspired by the area’s unique surroundings and a response to a post-pandemic paradigm change in aspirations for workplaces.  It knits together three buildings, all with the highest environmental, sustainability and healthiest workspace credentials set within high-quality public realm.

To ensure a real understanding of the needs and aspirations of residents and stakeholders Art-Invest conducted extensive community consultation. The desire to create a place that is far beyond just office buildings, but a new hub for people to meet, relax and spend time in with new community spaces and amenities, was integral to the feedback incorporated into the outline design.

Crucially, the scheme will deliver up to 10,000 long term job opportunities, bringing the vibrancy of creative thinking and business into the heart of Canada Water. The workspace led development will deliver the offices of the future – atop exciting ground floor town centre uses for the whole community.

The application will be supported by a series of detailed reserved matters applications, which will come forward in the coming months. It is anticipated that Art-Invest will start early works in Spring 2023.

Ali Abbas, Managing Director of Art-Invest UK, commented, “I would like to extend my thanks to Southwark Council and the local communities around Canada Water who have given considerable time and effort to shaping the vision for Canada Water Dockside.

“Achieving this important milestone allows us to move ahead in creating a new gateway for a revitalised Canada Water town centre.  By bringing together the area’s parks, squares and docks we will be able to connect the existing and new communities in new spaces for people to spend time in and enjoy whilst creating opportunities for businesses small and large to make the area their new home.”