There’s a new metric on the block: measuring the prosperity of a city by the number of green spaces, flora and fauna. Nine Elms’ vast areas of brownfield land are now being transformed into new open space with an abundance of parks and gardens.
There are parks, public squares, footpaths, cycle lanes, sports pitches, outdoor shopping areas and a variety of outdoor recreation spaces all integrated into one amazing network.
Industry-leading masterplanners, including Rafael Viñoly, Farrells and Allies & Morrison, have worked together to redesign the area and choreograph the neighbouring developments. The entire place is now being shaped by the latest placemaking and urban design principles – creating a pedestrian-centred environment with active, inviting public space, cultural attractions, parks and gardens. It is becoming a unique London quarter with beautifully crafted riverside access, modern spaces and a wealth of stunning new architecture.
The creation of beautiful, interesting and well-used outdoor space is the central aim of the masterplan. The area is designed not just to cater for local residents and businesses, but to be a leisure, shopping, culture and tourist destination in its own right, attracting visitors from across London and beyond. It is becoming a place where people come to relax, shop, play, eat, drink, walk and run.
A continuous green corridor will stretch through the district from west to east – providing a beautifully landscaped, green and car-free pathway from Battersea Power Station all the way to Vauxhall Cross. Along its route the park will open out into a variety of open spaces and will extend off into the new developments, connecting other public squares, shopping parades, hotels, parks and gardens.
This extraordinary green ribbon will be entirely open to the public and a focal point for shopping, sports, leisure and recreation and outdoor events.
It will offer a new pedestrian and cycle route through the centre of Nine Elms – a green and pleasant alternative to the main road. At four key spots along the way, it will connect to the Thames River Path to offer visitors the chance to switch between the park and water’s edge by foot or by bike.
The Nine Elms Park is arriving in stages as a series of neighbouring sites undergo redevelopment – each one forming a new link in the green corridor. Its conception and design has been a collaborative process between neighbouring landowners and their teams, the area’s two local authorities and the GLA.
Find out more about Nine Elms Park
Running parallel with the Nine Elms Park, a new stretch of the Thames River Path will run the full length of Nine Elms. It will extend the world famous South Bank through Vauxhall and all the way to Battersea Park.
Like the linear park, the new river walk will be a focus for arts and culture, with the new US Embassy and the restored Battersea Power Station along the route. There will also be a huge range of shops, cafes, restaurants, cultural attractions and event spaces. It will link up with other public spaces along the route – opening out into parks, squares and gardens where people can come to enjoy all that Nine Elms has to offer.