Plans Approved For Pioneering Hackney Road Mixed-Use Redevelopment

Regal London, one of London’s leading residential-led mixed-use developers, has obtained a resolution to grant planning permission for its mixed-use redevelopment at 114 to 150 Hackney Road.

Designed by architects Buckley Gray Yeoman, the scheme will comprise a new hotel, nearly 40,000 sq ft of flexible office space, nine residential apartments, as well as retail and F&B space at ground level, and public realm improvements.

Regal London’s proposals also provide for an almost 4,000 sq ft LGBTQ+ venue on the site, following the closure of The Joiners Arms pub in 2015. The new venue will be larger than the previous one and will incorporate an outside area along the Hackney Road frontage. A Community Liaison Group is to be established involving the hotel and pub operators working closely in collaboration with the local community.

The first 18 months of the LGBTQ+ venue’s lease will be provided rent-free and funds will be set aside by Regal London to ensure a temporary pop-up venue is operational for patrons during the construction phase. In what is believed to be the first time a developer has made such a commitment as part of its proposals, Regal London will provide £100,000 in funding towards the fit out and set up of a temporary off-site venue within the Tower Hamlets Borough during the build phase, while a further £138,000 will be contributed to the operation of the permanent venue post construction.

The scheme will deliver a range of public benefits, from an affordable housing contribution and valuable employment opportunities to significant public realm and heritage improvements, going beyond policy requirements.

Once operational, the hotel and retail components of the scheme will provide almost 300 new jobs with a range of measures to secure local and youth employment, and the upcoming construction phase will create at least 35 local apprenticeships with firm links to local education providers due to be established. Further benefit to the local community comes in the form of affordable workspace provision, provided at a discount to market rent, which will provide opportunities for local start-ups and SMEs.

Public realm and highway improvements include wider pedestrian footpaths and encouragement of sustainable transport modes – the development is car free, with secure cycle parking for residents, workers and visitors.

Redevelopment will include part demolition, part retention and part extension of existing buildings, as well as the creation of new buildings, all of which has been sensitively approached to ensure existing elements of architectural merit are prominently featured and lost features restored.

The plans are such that not only will the site respect its surrounding context, but it will also deliver a c.50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to current uses operating on the site.

Regal London is working with Montagu Evans as planning consultant and Buckley Gray Yeoman as the lead architect on the site.