Strand East Project in East London

Here’s an inspiring example of how non-governmental organizations can get things done in a city. Instead of waiting years for the city to update a derelict neighbourhood. In 2012 IKEA purchased over 1.1 million square feet of land (26 acres) in East London, with the intention to not only develop the area, but also to create a new and improved neighbourhood.

We worked firstly with The Manser Practice to develop a floor that was within budget and also Bryden Wood Architects on the specification and subfloors. Henry Construction are the main contractors and we are now working with them to ensure a successful fit out and wood floor installation. The information here has been taken for the web site and repeated for accuracy.

Situated in a location close to High Street, Stratford and Three Mills Island, Strand East will feature a variety of new homes and workspaces.

Forming a triangle south of High Street, Stratford, with the River Lee Navigation to the west and the Three Mills Wall River to the east, Strand East will be a landmark development built in an area known for an industrial heritage stretching back centuries

This 26 acre development will feature 1,200 new homes, 58,000 square metres of workspaces, and a 350 room designer hotel. Designed sensitively against the backdrop of 17th century Three Mills Island, it will combine high quality apartments and family-friendly mews-style townhouses with office spaces built for a range of businesses, including digital and creatives.

Developer Landprop Holding also plans to create a riverside park with access to the water, urban spaces for cafes and outdoor entertainment, a network of cycle paths, and offer a range of retail and community uses. Strand East Tower – a 40m timber lattice sculpture on the High Street, the focal point of the refurbished Print House (Formally Dane’s Yard) – is an early symbol of the changes to come.

LIVE

Our 1,200 new homes will include well-designed apartments and mews-style townhouses – reflecting the way we live now. Around 40% of them come with three bedrooms or more – making them perfect for families. We’re also making sure there’s plenty of underground parking to make life easy and the nearby streets free of cars giving kids a place to cycle, skate or saunter – safely . And we even plan to re-route local buses through Strand East – so you can easily hop on and off to or from Stratford, Bromley by Bow and further beyond.

WORK

We’re transforming 58,000m2 into offices and workspaces – with a large proportion designed around the needs of creative and digital businesses. What’s more, if clients visit from abroad they can conveniently stay locally, at the 350-room designer hotel. We’re also working with our contractors to ensure they make jobs available to local people, where possible. We put our money where our mouth is too, and located our UK Head Office on site – in the Print House, a Victorian warehouse used in the past by printing ink manufacturers and others, overlooking Dane’s Yard and Strand East Tower.

PLAY

And because we really want Strand East to have that buzz and sense of community, we’re creating public places – in the old industrial yards and overlooking the Three Mills Heritage – for people to gather. Imagine the possibilities – music, markets and more. We’re adding cycle paths, shopping and entertainment areas, a riverside park and restaurants. And providing access to the water – there’s lots of it – for fishing, boats and who knows, maybe swimming one day.

Strand East is a project being developed by LandProp Holding B.V., a part of the Inter IKEA Group. For more information please go to www.inter.ikea.com.