Memery Crystal advises Ocubis on planning for two towers on Albert Embankment

The site, which is in the Nine Elms Opportunity Area, is currently occupied by a Texaco petrol filling station and a converted warehouse building, Vintage House.

Ocubis, development manager for site owner Hotchkiss Ltd, has been granted planning permission for the 166-home Make Architects-designed scheme, creating two stunning new 25-storey buildings and preserving and refurbishing Vintage House, the last remaining Victorian warehouse on Albert Embankment.

A new café and open space will be created at the ground floor – providing an important link between Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and the River Thames. To create a more attractive streetscape and link to the area’s past, the Portland stone façade will be carved with Royal Doulton motifs and include impressive Victorian-style botanical cabinets designed by renowned landscape architect Kim Wilkie.

Richard Scutt, Development Director for Ocubis said: “The proposals will continue the regeneration of the Albert Embankment by creating a visually stunning mixed-use scheme comprising both private and affordable homes, approximately double the current commercial office space on-site, new public realm and an active street frontage linking the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens with Albert Embankment Gardens and the Thames.”

Alastair Moss, a Partner at Memery Crystal said “we were delighted to advise Ocubis in relation to this fantastic scheme. It is a pleasure working with a developer producing such high quality and exemplary development.”

Editors Notes:

The proposals feature:

• 166 new homes in the two new towers and refurbished Vintage House, including:
  • 118 apartments for private sale
  • 39 shared ownership apartments
  • 9 affordable rent homes located in the refurbished Vintage House – the last remaining Victorian Warehouse on the Albert Embankment
• The developer will also be providing a payment to Lambeth Council for delivery of off-site affordable housing (total contribution equivalent to 40% affordable housing)
• 2,162 sqm of office space, providing space for around 230 jobs
• A new café/retail space (143 sqm) and open space at the corner of the development
• Impressive two-storey botanical cabinets and a carved stone façade in tribute to the area’s history
• A CIL contribution of over £5million

Memery Crystal is recognised as a leading law firm for real estate by both Chambers UK and the Legal 500, with expertise in handling acquisitions and disposals, site and project development, funding agreements and all manner of property related disputes.  The firm’s clients include some of the largest retailers, development companies and property owners in the UK.