Bankside Yards
Uniting London’s Southbank after a century of separation with a new public realm
Southwark, London, UK
Crafting a public realm vision to revitalise a long-inaccessible site along the River Thames into a vibrant cultural hub. Purposeful connections will link Bankside, Tate Modern, and the South Bank’s cultural attractions, uniting these areas after a century of separation.
Bankside Yards is one of the largest developments currently underway in central London.
The 5.5-acre, £2.5bn mixed-use scheme, masterplanned by PLP/Architecture for client Native Land, comprises eight new buildings, a biodiverse public realm designed by Gillespies, and the restoration of 14 Victorian railway arches — unlocking public access for the first time in 150 years. This transformative project will deliver a world-class blend of prime riverside residences, flagship workplaces, luxury hospitality, and exceptional cultural amenities.
Its implementation will radically reconfigure the sites of Sampson House and Ludgate House, which have long formed an imposing barrier on either side of the elevated rail tracks near Blackfriars Station. Opening up the Victorian viaduct will introduce new pedestrian routes and replace the previously constrained riverside walkway. The revitalised public realm will breathe new life into this once sterile part of the city, transforming it into a vibrant urban quarter that enriches London’s built fabric. With a variety of welcoming spaces — including generous green areas open to all — the development will foster meaningful social interaction and enriching everyday experiences for residents, workers, and the wider community.
At the heart of the public realm are a new urban square, east–west pedestrian links, and a north–south promenade, all strategically integrated with the newly redeveloped south entrance concourse of Blackfriars Station. In addition, new openings through the viaduct will enhance permeability and connections to the wider network of streets and transport infrastructure, including the Low Line. This dynamic public realm has been carefully designed to complement the area’s distinct character, with a clearly defined hierarchy of spaces and functions.
At the heart of this revitalisation lies the transformation of 14 Victorian railway arches, sealed for over a century and a half, into a series of dynamic venues poised to accommodate shops, restaurants, and performance spaces that will be a welcome addition to the high street.
The language of the urban landscape has been drawn
from 1000 years of Bankside History and the proliferation of utilitarian yards
that characterised this once-dense industrial quarter. This language of yards
is echoed in both scale and material choices throughout the design. The
greening and colonisation of planting reflect how world cities are evolving to
make more resilient spaces that bring seasonality and well-being to all.
This ambitious new precinct, with its diverse and vibrant offer of events, performances, and exhibitions, will have far-reaching and positive impacts on the quality of life of the new and existing communities, enriching the local cultural scene and enhancing the existing range of experiences in this vibrant quarter of London.
The scale of this project means that it will be delivered over a period of years in phases. How these sections of the masterplan have been programmed has been carefully considered to ensure each phase delivers new pedestrian access, complete with a range of new public spaces
Project details
Title
Bankside Yards
Client
Native Land
Status
Under Construction
Project team
Gillespies (Public Realm), PLP Architecture (Masterplanner, Buildings 2, 3 & 5), Stiff + Trevillion (Building 8) Allies & Morrison (Buildings 6 & 7), Make (Buildings 1 & 4)
Photography
CGI copyright PLP / Architecture, Make and Native Land
