OMA / Reinier De Graaf’s masterplan for Morden Wharf achieves planning consent

Morden Wharf

The Royal borough of Greenwich’s Planning Committee has granted planning consent for OMA’s mixed use development on London’s Greenwich Peninsula at Morden Wharf, a 2.4-hectare brownfield site located equidistant from historic Greenwich and the millennial O2 Arena.

OMA’s scheme for developer U+I follows a years-long design and consultation process. Key to its development is maximizing the potential of the riverfront for public use and access. The site’s industrial past is reflected in the proposed mix of uses, balancing new residential development with employment and community uses.

The existing warehouse on the site is preserved and will house small enterprises and creative businesses. Along the Thames’ edge will sit Morden Park, a 1.6-hectare public park, harkening back to the site’s marshland beginnings. Reinier de Graaf, OMA Partner: “Our proposition for Morden Wharf is one with little ego, a surrender to the existing context that aims to reconcile the past with the future.

Architecture doesn’t exist for its own sake but to frame the public space in-between.” Carol Patterson, Director-in-Charge: “Designed pre-pandemic, an immediately accessible riverfront public park and renovated Thames Path for all residents of the peninsula working from home or otherwise has even greater significance than envisaged.”

Richard Upton, U+I CEO: “We care very much about the legacy that we deliver in the Borough. 25 years after the demolition of the sugar factory our proposal will bring this part of Greenwich back to life and we think it is the time for Modern Wharf to be reborn.”

Morden Wharf will provide up to 1,500 new homes, in 12 high-quality, tenure-blind residential buildings, of which 35% will be affordable, including a mix of shared ownership and London Affordable Rent. Commercial and employment use will create approximately 700 new permanent jobs. Source by OMA.

  • Location: Greenwich, London, UK
  • Architect: OMA
  • Partner in Charge: Reinier de Graaf
  • Project Director: Carol Patterson
  • Project Architect: Michalis Hadjistyllis
  • Design Team: Samir Abillama, Anton Anikeev, Andre Backlund, Zuzanna Binda, Stephanie Bigelow, Fabrizio Esposito, Federica Giorgetta, Eve Hocheng, Alicia Krzywinska, Konstantinos Papasimakis, Xaveer Roodbeen, Lukasz Skalec, Andrea Verni, Camilla Wisborg
  • Landscape Architect: Planit I.E
  • Architect, SIL Designer: Chetwoods
  • Architect, Unit Mix and Layout: MSMR
  • Architect, Gloriana Boat House: Carmody Groarke
  • Multi-disciplinary Engineer: Ramboll
  • Planning Consultant and Socio-Economics: Lichfields
  • Townscape and Visual Assessment Advisor: Tavernor
  • Project Manager: Gardiner & Theobald
  • Cost Consultant: Gardiner & Theobald
  • Consultation Advisor: Lowick Group
  • Wind: RWDI
  • Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing: Consil
  • Viability Consultant: Quod
  • Mobility Trends: DG Cities
  • Client: U+I
  • Residential: 151,000 m2
  • Employment and Retail: 17,300 m2
  • Total: 168,300 m2
  • Park: 16,000 m2
  • Year: 2021
  • Images: Miller Hare, Pixelflakes, Courtesy of OMA

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