22 Oct Royal Arsenal Riverside crowned Best Regeneration Project at Evening Standard New Homes Awards
Berkeley’s Royal Arsenal Riverside, a major mixed-use development at the heart of Woolwich, has been recognised for its innovative and high-quality approach to placemaking at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2022.
Judged by readers and industry experts, the awards honours Britain’s best housebuilders and the work they’re doing across the sector. The Berkeley development came out on top in the ‘Best Regeneration Project’ category, which recognises developments that have transformed a neglected site or zone into a vibrant new place.
The award is judged based on how a development can demonstrate that it has improved the lives of local businesses and people as well as creating an attractive proposition for new residents.
The regeneration of Royal Arsenal Riverside over the past 20 years has been transformational for the local area. In 2001, the Royal Arsenal was an area of deprivation, isolated from the rest of Woolwich with no useable infrastructure. As a result of Berkeley’s £1.2 billion regeneration project, the 88-acre brownfield site is now a vibrant new neighbourhood for the local community and visitors alike, easily accessible from across London via the new on-site Elizabeth Line station, as well as the DLR and Thames Clipper boat.
A thriving community has been established at Royal Arsenal Riverside with a host of restaurants, pubs and cafés, a Farmers’ Market, gyms and yoga studios. The development is a cultural and social hub, with new creative district Woolwich Works providing entertainment from world-renowned theatre company Punchdrunk to a host of comedy, theatre and art shows.
Over 3,700 homes have been delivered to date, with 26 per cent of these being affordable housing. The historic buildings have been restored and repurposed, making Royal Arsenal Riverside one of the largest concentrations of Grade I and Grade II listed buildings converted for residential use in Britain.
Karl Whiteman, Divisional Managing Director for Berkeley East Thames, comments: “The mixture of heritage and contemporary makes Royal Arsenal Riverside a truly unique place. When we started work 20 years ago, the site was inaccessible and its buildings were unusable. We were determined to change that and do something special. Now, Royal Arsenal Riverside is an area filled with life where people can watch a world-famous show, eat fantastic food and meet friends. I’m very pleased that we’ve been recognised for the work we’ve done transforming the site over the past 20 years and everyone involved should be proud.”
For more information about Royal Arsenal Riverside, please visit: www.berkeleygroup.co.uk.
