Oxpens is a new, sustainable, low-carbon, mixed-use neighbourhood and innovation district in Oxford. Our landscape plans will open up the riverside, creating nature-rich, healthy, and inclusive public space open to all.
The Oxpens project, for client OxWED — a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Nuffield College — aims to revitalise a 15-acre area in the city’s West End, between Oxpens Road and the River Thames. The development will transform underused land by introducing a diverse mix of homes, workspaces, hotels, shops, cafés, and restaurants, alongside high-quality public spaces designed by Gillespies.
At its heart is a new riverside landscape and the Oxpens Amphitheatre — a dynamic, flood-resilient public space centred around a large, stepped amphitheatre, designed to host a range of cultural, artistic, and community events. The scheme will also deliver improved river views, stronger connections to Oxpens Meadows, and an activated river edge.
Our primary goal has been to shape a distinctive, recognisable part of Oxford that celebrates the interplay of greenery, water, flood meadows, and carefully planned architecture and streets — enhancing biodiversity and the natural environment. The new quarter will limit vehicle access and feature upgrades to the Oxpens Road edge, improved cycling and walking connections, and integration with the proposed Oxpens River Bridge to create a secure, connected, accessible, and inclusive space for all.
The development is set to become a vibrant innovation district, building on the West End’s heritage of industry and enterprise while supporting Oxford’s long-term economic growth. It will also offer a greener, healthier, and more interconnected setting for the stories of future generations.
Project details
Title
Oxpens
Client
OxWED, a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Nuffield College
Status
Planning Granted
Project team
Gillespies, Hawkins/Brown, Gardiner + Theobald, Prior + Partners, Kevin Murray Associates, Max Fordham, Fourth street, Glanville, AKSWard, Bidwells , SLR, Stantec, Carmargue
Gillespies team
Sheena Bell
Photography
Hawkins/Brown