Winning design team reveal new Olympic Park concept

In recent years, TenderStream has published many notices revealing a trend for high-profile developments at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, including a design competition for an ambitious cultural quarter, and calls for an architectural team for the new University College London campus. Now, Mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed his £1.1bn vision for the entire East Bank site, and welcomed a £151m contribution secured by the Government.

The winners of the contest for the new quarter, Allies and Morrison, O’Donnell + Tuomey, and Camps Felip Arquitecturia, have redesigned their proposals following public consultations. When the new plans were unveiled, Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, said: “East Bank represents the most significant single investment in London’s culture since the legacy of the 1851 Great Exhibition, and will shape the cultural life of the city for the 21st century and beyond. Today’s announcement is a major step forward in realising one of the most ambitious culture projects the capital has ever seen.” 

East Bank will include a V&A museum, inspired in part by the work of the fashion designer Balenciaga, a mid-scale dance theatre for Sadler’s Wells, and facilities for the London College of Fashion. The BBC will join the list of prestigious occupants, with the creation of a new home for the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and BBC Singers. Alongside civic institutions, residential developments are taking shape, with at least 50 per cent of new homes across the remaining Park sites set aside for affordable housing.

The scheme is intended to provide skills and jobs for local people, bring over 10,000 students to the site, and attract visitors from London and beyond. The Mayor, who was inspired by the transformation of London’s South Bank, stated: “My vision for East Bank is one where everyone, regardless of their background, can access world-class culture and education on their doorstep. East Bank is a fantastic collaboration of inter-disciplinary work and world-class institutions that will drive forward growth and inspire more young Londoners to take up creative careers, transforming the communities of East London.”

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

Follow the links in the article to see the original tenders for East Bank in the TenderStream archive. Members of TenderStream can access current architectural design opportunities. For a free trial, click here or email our team directly at customerservices@tenderstream.com