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Ram Quarter

The historic Ram Brewery's transformation into Wandsworth's cultural heart

Wandsworth, London, UK

RAM Quarter has transformed the former historic Young's RAM Brewery into a residential-led cultural destination in the heart of Wandsworth Town Centre by client Greenland. The vibrant new quarter celebrates and preserves the site's strong heritage whilst opening it up to the public through new riverside walks, pedestrianised streets and a public square.

A brewing legacy reimagined

With roots dating back to 1533, RAM Brewery was one of Britain’s oldest brewing sites. For centuries, the Young family crafted traditional ales at this historic location, until brewing ceased in 2006.

That same year, the site was earmarked for redevelopment. EPR Architects, in collaboration with Gillespies, led the regeneration project, reimagining the historic brewery into a vibrant destination known as Ram Quarter.

Heritage-led regeneration

At the heart of the masterplan, the Grade II listed brewery has been transformed into a craft brewery and heritage centre, now home to Sambrook’s, London’s oldest independent brewer, alongside independent retailers and restaurants. These iconic structures stand alongside ten new buildings that echo the site’s industrial past, featuring high-quality apartments with private elevated gardens.

Reconnecting the town centre

The new public realm by Gillespies has opened up this once inaccessible site through the creation of a series of high-quality, interlinked urban spaces and pedestrian links that improve access to the River Wandle and the surrounding neighbourhood. At ground level, the buildings are enlivened with retail units to create a vibrant town centre.

Thoughtful reuse

Materials salvaged from the historic brewery site have been thoughtfully repurposed throughout the public realm. Slate from the original fermenting tanks now forms distinctive ‘welcome mats’ at building entrances, while reclaimed stone railway sleepers from The Surrey Iron Railway — England’s first public railway, which ran through the site — have been transformed into bollards to protect the heritage buildings.

The River Wandle

A key part of the public realm design is the rehabilitation of the River Wandle, which flows through the heart of the development. The riverbank has been opened to the public for the first time in centuries. Enhanced biodiversity, richly planted terraces, pedestrian bridges and new public trails along the river's edge offer valuable opportunities for cycling and walking throughout the scheme.