Thames Gateway and the Olympics

Case study: Royal Arsenal

The Royal Arsenal, close to Woolwich Town Centre, is already home to 1,000 residents, 40 businesses employing around 350 staff, and two museums.

New housing development at Royal Arsenal In 2005, planning consent was granted for 1,250 new homes and construction is now underway; all are expected to be sold by the end of 2007. The development will almost double the size of the town centre and link with further retail units, bars, restaurants and a 10 screen cinema complex.

Royal Arsenal embraces both the refurbishment of Grade II listed historic buildings and bold new modern architecture.

Given the value of the Grade II listed buildings to the nation, meticulous efforts have gone into the restoration. Wherever possible, original materials have been used, from sash windows to cast-iron columns. War damaged bricks have been matched and covered in soot to replicate the original. Every last detail has been painstakingly thought through.

Woolwich Town Centre and Royal Arsenal will be connected by a series of public spaces, ending with the large and multi-purpose Plaza. Created from the natural level changes will be an informal amphitheatre, where the public can enjoy outdoor music and street performance from the seating steps.

A lively mix of cafÃƒÂ©s and restaurants will back on to the steps and will also offer a bird's eye view of the activity in the public spaces. Trees will be planted along the CafÃƒÂ© Terrace to create the perfect atmosphere and climate for outdoor dining.

The second phase of development called the 'Warren', is expected to deliver a further 2,500 units, a cinema and a hotel by 2016.