Royal Mint Gardens Block A

Site Constraints and Challenges

BSBG submitted a Section 73 planning application for the development in late 2022, with a number of amendments and revisions to the consented scheme primarily targeted at improving operational activity between residential and hotel uses, enhancing internal efficiency and creating a viable proposal for construction. Revisions to the scheme resulted in the provision of 450 aparthotel units and 79 private residential apartments. Several challenges exist in and around the plot, which is predominantly hard-surfaced open land and railway viaducts; its adjacency to a DLR track (the Bank branch of the DLR enters the site at the east end and drops down below ground in the central section), neighbouring Tower Hill station and a DLR smoke extraction tunnel which cuts directly through the site are three of the key obstacles requiring innovation-led creative solutions to overcome. Additionally, the site is located within the setting of a key heritage asset - the townscape view from The Queen’s Walk to Tower of London is one of London’s most sensitive heritage locations. Working around the existing Network Rail and DLR infrastructure, the proposed design extends 15-metres over the DLR tracks, requiring approvals from both organisations.

Shaham Ahmed

Head of Studio | London

“Our extensive knowledge of building over and near railways while balancing the aesthetic needs and historical nature of this site has resulted in a workable solution, as inferred by our Section 73 submission."

Project Team

Shaham Ahmed

Head of Studio | London

Alistair Bradley

Associate Director

Michael Lewis

Group Design Director

Fernando Juatco

Lead Designer