Future London
London is in a constant state of regeneration. Now, with billions of pounds being invested in new commercial developments, transport, regeneration and sustainability, the London is set to cement its reputation as a future-facing city.
London Olympics 2012
The focal point of the Games will be a new 200 hectare Olympic Park in East London's Lower Lea Valley – set to be the biggest new city centre park in Europe for 200 years. It will feature eight arenas including the main Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome as well as the Olympic Village and media centre.
Parallel developments include a revitalised network of waterways serving new communities and businesses through East London and beyond.
Urban Regeneration
A number of major projects are underway in the capital. Kings Cross Central and St Pancras is based around the channel tunnel rail link and will include almost 500,000 m2 of office space, hotels, homes and 10 hectares of public space.
The Elephant and Castle area is being redeveloped with new homes, commercial buildings and a hotel along with a major new public transport interchange, while Greenwich Peninsula will see major housing developments in the area around The O2 arena.
Major London Transport Developments
Billions of pounds will be spent over the next 10 years on improving public transport in London.
The Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will see a significant increase in capacity across the network, with improvements in rolling stock and stations. DLR extensions will push the network to Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International.
Crossrail, a major rail connection across the capital starting from Heathrow airport has been given the go ahead. Completion is expected in 2015.
The East London Link Extension will extend the rail network south and west, connecting previously unlinked areas.
Within the city, refurbishment at Blackfriars and London Bridge stations will significantly increase capacity.
New London Conference Venues
Many of London’s major conference venues are undergoing improvements.
- ExCeL London, the capital’s largest event venue is undergoing a £150m expansion plan and is set to increase in size to 100,000m2 by 2012
- Tate Modern is set to extend and will include conference venues
- Wimbledon’s new Centre Court will include conference venues and improved incentive opportunities
- Both The Oval and Lord's cricket grounds have plans for new stands that will incorporate conference facilities and hotels
New London Hotels
London is set to gain over 12,000 new hotel rooms by 2012, these include major developments at
- The Trocadero in central London
- Metropole, Northumberland, a mixed use scheme of hotel, accommodation and offices
- Park Plaza at Westminster Bridge Roundabout, a new 15 storey hotel
- Renaissance St Pancras Chambers, a 5 star hotel alongside the Eurostar terminal
- Bermondsey Square, a retail, hotel and commercial development within walking distance of Tower Bridge
- London Bridge Tower, known as 'The Shard of Glass', incorporating apartments, offices and the Shangri-La hotel
- City Inn, Mariner House, a new hotel, subject to planning permission
- Wembley, Gillette Corner and Hayes Central – all planned new hotels
Other Major Developments
Silvertown Quays is a regeneration scheme in East London that will include an aquarium, residential space, offices, retail and leisure space, a new hotel, entertainment and local facilities to support a thriving, waterfront community.
Westfield London is a major shopping complex and will host more than 260 retailers, 40 places to eat, cinemas and event spaces. Set to open at the end of 2008.
Paddington Basin is a business, residential and new hotel regeneration project on the edge of the West End.
