Architect appointed to design first 1,500-home phase of Arada’s Thameside West masterplan

Us architect Gensler has been appointed to redesign the first phase of Arada’s planned5,000-home Thameside West scheme in east London.

The practice has been brought in by the Emirati developer, which purchased an 80% stake in the £2.5bn development from private developer Keystone last November.

Spanning 47 acres of the Royal Docks opposite the Greenwich Peninsula, Thameside West is one of the largest development sites in the capital with outline plans for the scheme, drawn up by Foster + Partners, first approved in 2020.

But the project, which is being delivered in partnership with the Greater London Authority’s property company GLAP,  has stalled multiple times due to a slowdown in the housing market and stricter fire safety regulations.

Arada said it is now planning to resubmit the first 1,500-home phase of the scheme this summer under plans by Gensler, consisting of six buildings and a large public park, with work expected to start in early 2028.

Arup and landscape architect Planit have also been appointed to the job, while construction would be carried out by Arada’s in-house contractor team.

The wider development will contain 35% affordable homes with the scheme also set to include a new DLR station scheduled to open in time for the arrival of the scheme’s first residents.

Arada group chief executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said the appointment of Gensler, Arup and Planit represented “major steps forward” in the developer’s vision for the site.

Deputy London mayor for housing Tom Copley added: “I am delighted that Arada is moving ahead with the first stage of redeveloping Thameside West - one of the key sites within the Royal Docks.

“Working together we will be able to deliver at least 5,000 new homes, 35 per cent of which will be affordable as we continue to return this part of the capital to its former glory and create a better, fairer, greener London for everyone.” 

Mayor of Newham, Forhad Hussain said: “Thameside West is one of the most exciting regeneration opportunities in Newham, and I welcome this important milestone providing much-needed homes, stunning new green spaces and better transport for our borough.”