Thames City opens phase 1 of Nine Elms Park

Thames City has opened its first portion of Thames City’s 2.5 acre Nine Elms Park, designed by Gillespies. The easterly section of the new 2.5 acre Nine Elms Park can now be enjoyed by residents and visitors.

The new park, designed by Gillespies and delivered by R&F Properties (UK) and C C Land, will boast water features, a nature inspired children’s play park, interactive trails and intimate seating areas.

Tree species of varied sizes and ages have been planted across the park to create a resilient scheme that fits the site's environmental conditions. Below the tree canopy, a rich and diverse range of robust shrubs and herbaceous plants creates multi-layered complex greenery, supporting biodiversity. These carefully designed plant communities are the best way to future-proof the park to withstand unpredictable weather patterns and the challenges of the urban environment. At the heart of the park is the Great Lawn, sculpted as a natural amphitheatre for visitors of all ages to enjoy as well as a space for pop up events within the park. The horticultural strategy creates a welcoming atmosphere for users, supports biodiversity, and is well-equipped for future climatic challenges.

Through the delivery of the park, Nine Elms will act as a benchmark, in London and beyond, of what can be achieved through sustainable design.

It will open up previously private space, with multiple access points for pedestrian walkways and cycle paths, which will unify connections between Vauxhall to the east, through to Battersea Power Station and Battersea Park to the west, and to the wider regeneration of the area. The public space will also sit alongside new commercial and retail spaces adjacent to the public park, unlocking the destination as a place for all to live, eat, work and play.

Guan Zhixiong, Chairman of R&F Properties (UK), commented: “Green and open spaces are essential to the fabric of our communities. Named in homage to the nine iconic elm trees that bordered the area’s main road, the Nine Elms district has undergone dramatic transformation from being a riverside marshland dotted with windmills to a cluster of vibrant market gardens and, today, a bustling community in the city centre. We are committed to Nine Elms and have made a significant investment to ensure a greener future for the area with. vegetation, green and blue spaces all adding to and improving the biodiversity of our urban environments.”

Dickie Wong, Deputy Chairman and Executive Director of C C Land, said: “The park provides much-needed green space for the Zone One location while also improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity. Nine Elms is one of the most exciting opportunity growth areas in the city and we are pleased to see our vision for Thames City becoming a reality.”

Armel Mourgue, Partner, added: “The opening of the park within Thames City marks an importance milestone for the Nine Elms masterplan, linking the Nine Elms Linear Park to Vauxhall. We worked with R&F and Wandsworth Council to ensure this section of the park provides much-needed open space and amenities. For the first time, local residents, workers and visitors to the area will be able to enter large swathes of green open space directly from the east to enjoy the open lawn, sweeping garden terraces, relaxing walks and playspaces. The park offers a rich tapestry of plant communities and habitats for wildlife that, in time, will stretch from Vauxhall bridge to Battersea Power Station.”