November 2019 Inward investment newspaper published in conjunction with Develop Croydon SOUTH BANK FEEL CROYDONOLOGY 10 LEON-HEARTED How the newly-refurbished Fairfield Halls is only the A timeline of how our town has been transformed in How three new-build towers are being designed to first stage of creating a cultural quarter for Croydon the ten years since Develop Croydon was created complement the renovation of an iconic tower block SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGES 6-7 SEE PAGE 5 Towers putting Croydon on top of the world CROYDON is now home to the world’s tallest modular tower after a topping-out ceremony on the 101 George Street scheme, which stands as high as the London Eye. Tide Construction have installed the last of 1,526 modules onto the building which could help to change the way in which Britain’s housing shortage is tackled. Building the modules off site and craning them into position has helped to slash construction times and the first residents are set to move into their new homes just two years after work began. For the full story see page eight. CREATING THE RIGHT MIX FOR 21ST CENTURY ROPOSALS to the mix of their offer is being Partnership, which also owns Savills director Marie Hickey redevelop Croydon changed. Talks with Croydon Centrale, says it will continue believes the change in retail town centre are Council to discuss the progress to invest in the town centre trends, particularly in terms of being revisited to of a revised scheme have been and encourage new trade. millennials’ spending habits, ensure they meet the described as ‘constructive There has been cross-party provides a way forward. Ptown’s future needs. and encouraging’ as a review support in bringing the scheme “The way we are spending With the retail landscape ensures the plans meet the forward since it was first money has changed,” she having changed susbstantially rapidly changing needs of proposed and council leader said. “We now spend more on since 2013, when Westfield and consumers, retailers and the Tony Newman said: “The new experiences such as holidays, Hammerson first jointly put town centre as a whole. proposals look impressive, eating out, cultural experiences forward plans to transform Proposals now include a improve Croydon’s existing and gym membership, and less Croydon’s two main shopping higher proportion of mixed- offer and are more sustainable on buying stuff. centres, it came as little use including high-quality and fit for the future.” “The good news is that surprise that a rethink offices and co-working spaces, The Croydon Partnership the change is generating is necessary. a hotel and homes alongside a intends to reveal more details opportunities as well as The Croydon Partnership substantial retail offer. soon but a spokesman said: challenges. Many online stores says it remains committed to Considerations also include “There is still much work to are transferring to physical creating a retail and leisure fewer parking spaces, the do to finalise this proposal stores because they value destination on the site of the possibility of retaining and and ensure it meets the future in-town locations. Statistics Whitgift Shopping Centre – reusing some key buildings needs of retailers, residents show 25 per cent of online with Marks and Spencer and and more open space. and consumers, in a climate sales are generated where the John Lewis as anchor tenants While the updated scheme is of continued economic and customer has originally seen for the retail element – but worked up in more detail, the retail uncertainty.” or experienced the product.” 2 3 IN BRIEF Getting Croydon Riot city, surprising marriage Giving Croydon a South Bank feel in the right zone esigners have behind the team which has A CAMPAIGN for Croydon been chosen for a been selected to design and to be reclassified as part new public space deliver the scheme, which will of Zone 4 of the London and a decade of development to complement help to join up public spaces in Transport network is being the recently the town centre. T is safe to say here were substantially lower backed by the Develop refurbishedD Fairfield Halls. The intention is that the final Croydon Forum. Croydon can have had than elsewhere in the capital. The ambitious £10m scheme, designs will invoke the spirit few more momentous Meanwhile, two major retail Chair Richard Plant in the heart of Croydon’s of Croydon’s historic medieval decades in its recent development companies did said: “The re-zoning of the cultural quarter, will bring fairs which used to be held on history than the one see potential in Croydon. stations would have a huge the historic Fair Field site – the same site and bring the economic impact, not just thatI is reaching its climax. Westfield and Hammerson which hosted fairs, markets kind of energy and excitement were vying for the right for those commuting into Delegates attending the and performances before the to this part of south London and through the stations to invest and rebuild the tenth Develop Croydon arrival of the railways in the as that which exists along the but also those looking to Whitgift Shopping Centre. Conference – fittingly called 1860s – back to life. South Bank near Waterloo. invest further in the town Croydon 10 – could be From the Develop Croydon A naturally-filtered water MICA Architects, OOZE, centre. We fully support the forgiven they were discussing Conference stage a vote was Zone4Croydon campaign.” mirror – a shallow pool Charles Holland Architects, an entirely different town held on which company reflecting Croydon’s skyline – Adam Nathaniel Furman, to the troubled location should win that right, will be the centrepiece of plans eHRW and DHA Design Whitgift rebrand that hosted the inaugural so it was something of a designed to bring a South Services Ltd, Gardiner & conference in 2010. surprise when the two rival THE Whitgift Foundation Bank feel to the area around Theobald and Wasser Werkatt retail development giants will now be called the Croydon was in the midst of Croydon’s iconic arts and are now combining to create a announced they would John Whitgift Foundation an identity crisis. The buzz entertainment venue, which final design and it is intended come together Croydon after its founder. The word was “perception”. That reopened in September after a work will begin on site in 2021. Historic setting: The Fair Field site will recapture its former glory and become an outdoor events space for Croydon charity, freehold owners Croydon was rough. That Partnership to deliver on a £42 million renovation. Surrounded by greenery, the that public art gateways venue. MICA director Stuart the new Fair Field public relishing the opportunity to of the Whitgift Shopping opportunities were scarce. joint scheme in January 2013. World-class architects, custom-built space could play while it is also intended Cade said: “We are delighted realm. The brief, context and co-produce a high quality Centre, educates more That unless we could show Suddenly investors flocked landscape, designers, public host to performances, concerts that innovative lighting that the team has been ambition for the new space and diverse urban landscape than 3,000 students at three change those perceptions, to find out what Croydon was foundation schools. art experts and engineers are or markets and it is proposed installations will light up the selected to design and develop is unique and our group is for Croydon.” who in their right mind all about. Just as importantly, would invest in the town? people began to have positive If we’re honest, they things to say about the town. Dame Judi launches new-look Fairfield Halls weren’t just perceptions. The irony that the landmark The Met Police needed a development has not got DAME Judi Dench formally prominent voice in that first off the ground while the re-dedicated the Ashcroft conference, while the focus likes of Boxpark, the HMRC Playhouse at Fairfield Halls of the new Croydon Business at Ruskin Square and the to her friend, Croydon-born Improvement District was world’s largest modular Dame Peggy Ashcroft, at the predominantly on reducing towers have arrived at re-opening of the venue. crime and making the town startling pace, won’t be lost. centre safer. The award-winning actress With the bottom having unveiled the People’s Picture, Proving the point, Croydon fallen out of retail, a debate a commemorative mosaic by became the face of Britain’s about how to ensure the artist Helen Marshall, before riots in 2011, the iconic House Whitgift is replaced in a way taking to the stage for a Q&A of Reeves furniture store which is not only viable but in the Ashcroft Playhouse.. gutted by fire, while thugs also best meets the needs and and looters ran amok in wishes of Croydon residents This event kicked off a week South End, London Road and is well underway. of special events, marking the town centre itself. the reopening of the iconic It also demonstrates why venue, following a £42million But Develop Croydon had at debating the challenges and council-led restoration. least started the conversation the opportunities remains as about how positive change important as ever. If anyone Neil Chandler, artistic and could be brought about. is in any doubt about what venue drector of operators BH Live, said: “To be custodians Saffron Square, a can be achieved, just look at the venue for Croydon 10. of this wonderful venue is a landmark Berkeley Homes privilege. We will deliver a development, came out The once tired Faifield Halls WELCOME TO RUSKIN SQUARE. ONE OF LONDON’S diverse programme of arts, of the ground, and young has been renovated into a culture, events, entertainment MOST SPECTACULAR DEVELOPMENTS, BALANCING professionals from other proud monument to a town and education for the people LIFE, WORK AND LEISURE.