Co-location at Orchard Wharf

We’re working with our client Regal on a ground-breaking co-location project in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Set between the Thames and the mouth of the River Lea, Orchard Wharf will provide homes for around 2,000 and serve as a logistics hub for river-borne freight, reinstating the area’s historic relationship with the Thames, and fostering a vibrant and sustainable community.

The recently submitted proposals for this long-vacant brownfield site, comprise a 7,524m² logistics wharf, 208 affordable homes and 1,365 student beds. Community space will be provided within the ground floor, in addition to enhanced landscape and pedestrian connections to the Thames path and East India Dock Basin.

The buildings will reinforce the strong industrial character that has emerged across the Leamouth Peninsula over the last decade. In total, 7,400m² of open space will be provided on-site, including dwell spaces in the public realm and spectacular landscaped roof gardens for residents above the wharf box.

The reactivated wharf will meet the co-location aspirations of the London Plan and will be operated by Thames Clippers Logistics as part of a wider strategy to develop a high-speed river freight logistics service, transporting cargo on behalf of London businesses using more sustainable modes of transport.

As well as providing this vital low-carbon infrastructure for London’s transport and delivery network, the new homes will maximise the site's potential to provide high-quality living with outstanding amenities.

William Poole, Partner at Howells said:

“We’re excited to be involved in this ground-breaking project, which will deliver long-term benefits for Tower Hamlets, and for London.

"Alongside a new student community and affordable homes is a state-of-the-art wharf facility that will remove HGVs from London’s road network, promising a cleaner logistics solution for the capital.

"Situated between London City Island and Trinity Buoy Wharf, our proposal continues the vibrant character of industrial brick buildings that has come to define the Leamouth neighbourhood over the last decade.

"We look forward to delivering this transformational project with Regal.”

Steve Harrington, Planning Director at Regal said:

“Orchard Wharf has been a real labour of love, and we are delighted to present our wider vision to deliver a new riverside neighbourhood with significant student and affordable housing, relieving the pressures on the housing stock in Tower Hamlets—all alongside a reactivated working wharf. Regal, with Thames Clipper Logistics, will play a key part in further bringing the River Thames into use to support a more sustainable London for the future.”

Planning permission is expected by early 2025 so construction can commence.