Iconic Thames City development reaches first phase completion
The first phase of one of London’s iconic riverside developments, Thames City, has reached completion. Designed by SOM Architects and interior architects HBA, N8 and N9 consist of 526 luxury apartments, split across two residential towers, and a 50,000 sq ft podium/basement – all of which is centred around 1.8 acres of public green space.
We were first appointed as the developer’s representative for the project management and cost management in 2018 as R&F Properties UK set out to deliver this mixed-use scheme in south west London’s Nine Elms area. Since then, our UK project and cost management teams have worked closely alongside the wider design and contractor teams to reach this initial milestone.
Both residential towers are 36 and 53 storeys high, making the latter one of the tallest residential buildings in London’s zone one. Set amongst a wider development of 12 buildings in total, N8 and N9 provide a mix of one- to five-bedroom riverside apartments with far-reaching views to the east and west of the capital
With a particular focus on creating exceptional communal and wellness spaces, this first phase also features London’s largest indoor residential pool with multiple skylights, surrounded by an abundance of green spaces. Plus, residents have access to a ‘sky bar’ on the 39th floor with breathtaking views of the new Thames City Nine Elms Park.
Project Director, Edward Lumley, said:
"We are delighted to see London’s next landmark development reach this significant milestone. With our in-depth knowledge of the London developer/residential market, a streamline approach from both our project and cost management teams, and collaborative efforts across the entire design and contractor teams, it’s great to see the hard work pay off to bring this project to light."
Thames City is just one piece of the wider Nine Elms regeneration, which is already instigating a complete transformation of a once redundant part of the capital and will continue to do so for many years to come.
"A legacy we, as a team, are extremely proud to have played a part in, and I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work in making it such a success.”
Peter Buckley, Construction Director at R&F Properties, UK said:
"The completion of this first phase at Thames City is a key achievement for this development and a culmination of several years of hard work from an entire project team."
During some challenging times for the residential industry, Turner & Townsend’s expertise and knowledge of the sector has helped us mitigate risk and maintain the project programme and delivery from acquisition to completion, together with successful occupation. All of which has been within a four-year timeframe as planned.
N8 and N9 is the beginning of a much wider masterplan for Thames City which, once complete, will deliver almost 1,500 new homes, high-end retail, restaurants and commercial space surrounding approximately 2.5 acres of public open space, including a new section of the Nine Elms Linear Park, landscaped courtyards and city squares.
The development also forms part of Nine Elms, the most ambitious regeneration project undertaken in London for decades. Taking advantage of its prime central and riverside location, the regeneration is set to completely transform the area, introducing new transport links and public spaces to create a new destination for city residents and visitors.
Nine Elms Tube station and Vauxhall Tube and mainline station are less than a ten-minute walk away, with the Thames Clipper service also an option for travel.
Thames City photos © Francesco Russo