The site sits in close proximity to the River Thames and is set among some of London’s best loved cultural institutions including the Tate Modern, National Theatre, and the Southbank Centre.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the proposed development will centre on a vibrant, new public space, delivering two residential buildings that provide over 400 new homes on site, including 40% affordable homes.

There will be 20,000 sq ft of affordable workspace aimed at supporting local and socially minded enterprises.

A podium at the base of the new buildings will include retail and food outlets, office and residential amenities, cultural and performance facilities, educational spaces, as well as other flexible uses.

The proposals advance an existing consent on the site for two towers (the tallest of which was 184.2m) by providing three buildings (45, 40 and 22 storeys above the podium), with the new office building being the tallest at 199.28m.

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The design of the public space —the Rotunda — seeks to enhance the existing Blackfriars streetscape and will hold publicly accessible events linked to Hatters Yard, with a new pedestrian connection to the Mad Hatter public house.

The project aims to minimise embodied carbon and is targeting a 20-30% improvement against the GLA benchmark.

The development is designed to avoid all on-site emissions, using an all-electric strategy with ground and air source heating and cooling.

Ross Blair, senior MD and country head at Hines UK, commented: “We’ve been working hard with our architects, the local community and other key stakeholders to bring this land back to life.

“Occupiers are demanding more from their spaces to attract and retain the best people; the lines have blurred between workspace, wellness and leisure, and our design truly responds to these needs, offering an inspirational mix of spaces that foster collaboration.

“We believe that our proposals for 18 Blackfriars Road will add significant value to the already established growth story of the Southbank and Bankside neighbourhoods, and as a long-term owner and operator we are deeply invested in the future success of the site and the benefits it will bring to the Southwark community.”