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Orchard Gardens, Elephant Park

Orchard Gardens defines the southern gateway to Elephant Park, framing a new public square opposite Walworth Town Hall

Elephant and Castle, London

Gillespies has delivered a high-quality tree-lined public realm and a vibrant central courtyard garden at Orchard Gardens. This forms the second phase of the landmark Elephant Park development by Lendlease, which is regenerating Elephant and Castle into a thriving and highly sustainable new neighbourhood.

The development, designed by architects Panter Hudspith, is a playful cluster of buildings comprising 228 homes and 2,500sqm of retail and cultural spaces. Contemporary apartments benefit from large private roof terraces, and a lushly planted garden at the centre of the development enhances the wellbeing of residents.

Our landscape concept for the communal courtyards reflects the density and richness of Walworth Woods, which previously occupied the site. The courtyard boasts a rich variety of native and non-native plants that will deliver year-round impact and maximise biodiversity. The streetscape and courtyard provide a safe environment for children to play and explore nature.

The regeneration project in Elephant and Castle by developer Lendlease aims to establish Elephant Park as one of the city’s greenest places to live. More than a hundred mature trees have been retained and nearly 300 new trees will be planted over the project's life.

Orchard Gardens copyright Enrique Verdugo courtesy of Panter Hudspith

"Exceptional exemplar of a dense residential-led, mixed-use scheme: a project that provides high quality-homes, well scaled outside spaces that positively respond to their setting and enhances place-making. An excellent scheme in what is one of the profession’s most challenging sectors."

RIBA award judges 2022

Gillespies is the public realm masterplanner for the entire Elephant Park site and the public realm and landscape designer for its additional phases, including Park Central, Orchard Gardens, South Gardens and Highwood Gardens, plus the new 2-acre park. The masterplan includes almost 2,500 new homes, shops and restaurants, with 'green' streets, open spaces, and the award-winning Elephant Park at its heart.

The scheme was awarded the RIBA London Award 2022 and the RIBA National Award 2022.