It gets a bad rap for its blunt architecture and iffy transport links. But the south east London district of Thamesmead is getting a £1bn makeover.
Designs submitted by Peabody show plans for the regeneration of Southmere Village. The plans include 500 new homes alongside a library, shops, and new public spaces that join the future Abbey Wood Crossrail station with South Thamesmead.
Peabody has also proposed 1,000 new homes for Binsey Walk, Coralline Walk and Sedgemere Road.
Building for phase one of the project — helmed by Proctor and Matthews Architects, and Mecanoo — gets under way next year. We like the use of brick, along with an altogether less intimidating feel than the 1970s Thamesmead high rises (although we can't deny those do have a brutalist charm).
Phase four is due for completion in 2024.
Many feel that the original designs for Thamesmead were overly-ambitious, and the area has suffered from a bad reputation over past four or so decades. It's hoped these new designs will go some way to remedying that.
