British Land : starts work on new park at Broadgate, London

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British Land starts work on new park at Broadgate, London

02 Nov 2020

British Land is progressing with its plans to transform Exchange Square at Broadgate into a new public park for London. Designed by architects DSDHA, the reimagined Exchange Park will quadruple the amount of green space at Broadgate.

The 1.5-acre park is the first to be delivered in the City in recent years. In addition to the expansive green space, the park will feature an exciting mix of planting and trees, a stream flowing through it, amphitheatre seating and new retail and event spaces, all of which will be open to everyone. Enabling works are already underway and site works will commence in December.

Health and wellbeing form a vital part of the £1.5 billion investment in Broadgate to create an environment that brings people together to work, shop, drink and dine. Research commissioned by British Land shows that putting good design at the heart of urban development could lead to substantial improvement in peoples' mental health, which would result in substantial economic rewards.

Oliver Sells QC, Chairman of the City of London Corporation's Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee, said: 'London's green spaces are more important now than ever before and are treasured by residents, workers and visitors alike. We're pleased to support British Land's plans for Exchange Square. This move aligns with our radical Climate Action Strategy which will make the City of London net zero emissions by 2040 - in part by increasing the amount of green space in the City.'

David Lockyer, Head of Broadgate, British Land said: 'Creating better quality, healthier and more sustainable places is now even more important as result of Covid-19. We are already doing this at Broadgate, which has undergone significant transformation into a mixed use destination that appeals to everyone. This is a fantastic opportunity to continue to do this, by creating a new park for London at Broadgate that can be enjoyed by all the community.'

The evolution of Broadgate into a world class, mixed use destination continues, with the recent completion of 100 Liverpool Street and 1FA. 100 Liverpool Street is a 520,000 sq ft redevelopment designed by Hopkins Architects, with a focus on technology, sustainability and wellbeing. It has attracted an exciting occupier mix including GANT, Watches of Switzerland and the UK's first John Reed gym, as well as office occupiers including law firm Millbank, Japanese bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe and advisory house Peel Hunt. Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects AHMM, 1FA has attracted leading tech firm, Mimecast, Product Madness, an online gaming platform and the City's first Everyman cinema.

Media
Lizzie King, British Land	07808 912 784
Giles Barrie, FTI Consulting	07798 926 814

About British Land

Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Offices and Retail around the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at £14.8bn (British Land share: £11.2bn) as at 31 March 2020 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies.

Our strategy is to provide places which meet the needs of our customers and respond to changing lifestyles - Places People Prefer. We do this by creating great environments both inside and outside our buildings and use our scale and placemaking skills to enhance and enliven them. This expands their appeal to a broader range of occupiers, creating enduring demand and driving sustainable, long term performance.

Our Offices portfolio comprises three office-led campuses in central London as well as high quality standalone buildings and accounts for 60% of our portfolio. Our Retail portfolio is focused on retail parks and shopping centres, and accounts for 35% of our portfolio. Increasingly our focus is on providing a mix of uses and this is most evident at Canada Water, our 53 acre redevelopment opportunity where we have plans to create a new neighbourhood for London.

Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our places, which are designed to meet high sustainability standards, become part of local communities, provide opportunities for skills development and employment and promote wellbeing. In April 2016 British Land received the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, the UK's highest accolade for business success for economic, social and environmental achievements over a period of five years.

Further details can be found on the British Land website at www.britishland.com.

About Broadgate

Broadgate is where innovation and finance play.

It is the largest pedestrianised neighbourhood in Central London: a diverse community connecting innovation and finance, and a public arena for new food, retail and culture.

Lying adjacent to the busy transport hub of Liverpool Street station and surrounded by Shoreditch, Spitalfields, Old Street and the City, Broadgate connects Europe's capitals of investment and technology.

Joint owners British Land and GIC are investing £1.5 billion in Broadgate's evolution into a world class, mixed use destination for London.

Their masterplan for Broadgate will deliver 4.9 million sq ft of new and redefined workplaces, retail and restaurants, bringing people together to work, shop, drink and dine.

Broadgate's rare collection of public spaces combines the community and feel of the historic piazza with the energy of modern London. These spaces play host to over 100 cultural events annually, providing a showcase for emerging ideas and talent.

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The City Corporation protects and conserves 11,000 acres of green spaces in London and south east England - including Hampstead Heath and Burnham Beeches - and over 200 smaller ones in the Square Mile. They include important wildlife habitats, sites of scientific interest and national nature reserves and are protected from being built on by special legislation.

The City Corporation's sites are funded by over £29million a year from the organisation and include important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

Its green spaces, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve.

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