EMERGING LONDON 2018

ROGER MADELIN CBE HEAD OF CANADA WATER DEVELOPMENT, BRITISH LAND EMMA CARIAGA HEAD OF OPERATIONS, CANADA WATER, BRITISH LAND How do you describe what you’re doing at Canada Water to people who aren’t aware of what exactly is happening here? Roger It is simply the most amazing opportunity that I’ve come across in more than 30 years developing. We are in control of evolving a new place with up to 20,000 people working, being educated and visiting every day, on top of 30,000 people living here. The first phase of development is potentially 1.8m sq ft. Do you already have a vision in your own minds how that space will look? Roger We have a very clear idea of what the first phasewill look like. One of the things wewill do is build a newHigh Street. Contrary towhatmany people believe, not all High Streets are declining andwe’re going to incorporate the best things about existing ones. To do that wewill bring forward flexible buildings that allow for amixed offer and importantly allow for adaptation over time.We have learned lessons fromretail environments that functionwell, that allow for control of traffic and create pavements/street environments that are safe and inviting. Alongside the retail, our first phase will deliver exciting new working environments, a new leisure centre and up to 650 homes. Once completed it will be a substantial place in its own right and transformational in terms of establishing Canada Water as a much more urban place than it appears today. It’s not every day you get to design a High Street from scratch. Roger Precisely, and that’s what makes Canada Water so special. No-one has had planning permission to allow them create a major retail and leisure hub so close to central London for a very long time. Current policy allows us to build up to one million sq ft. That’s scary and exciting, in equal measure, because we know that the retail and leisure markets are challenging right now. But we also know that, as long as we get it right, that space will be fundamental to creating a great new urban area. And you have plans for plenty of office space, too. Roger If you ask anyone at the moment “Is Canada Water a good place for offices?” the answer will probably be “No”. But why would it be anything else at this stage? We’re not surprised about responses from people who haven’t been here, but we are pleasantly surprised that everyone who comes here seems to get it – that’s what keeps us going. So, this is a case of changing perceptions. Emma Because people don’t knowwhat is here, their perceptions aren’t negative. It’smore a case that they simply have no perceptions. Often, when they visit for the first time, they are unsure of where they’re going – people often thinkwe’re east of CanaryWharf – yet when they get here they’re really surprised, because it took themhalf the time they expected it to. That bodes well for discussions with potential occupiers. Roger It does andwe’re already talking to awide variety of possible office tenants. Not just FTSE100 companies, big consultancies, and technology and banking firms, as youmight expect, but also small design companies and higher education institutions. And these aren’t cursory conversations, but exploring howmuch canwe provide, when and for howmuch. And you will also be building new residential accommodation. Emma A functioning urban environment needs people around at different times of the day. Alongside the retail and workspace, we will be delivering approximately 3,000 homes. With that kind of scale we can create a real mix of homes that appeal to a broad range of ages as well as a full spectrum of incomes. One of the reasons people leave a place is because there’s nowhere for them to staircase up or down to. Our aim is to deliver a good range of property types that Londoners can not only afford, but are actually attractive to them, which in turn will create a place where people want to stay. That means creating homes for everyone from students to senior citizens. Roger Madelin CBE What is your favourite part of London? Somewhere between here [Canada Water] and Waterloo depending on whether I turn left or right on my bike – the back streets of the South Bank. Chiswick High Street – a wide space with interesting shops and chance to meet a diversity of people. Do you have a personal ‘hidden London’ location you’d like to share? Around Charterhouse Square. I used to cycle past, but one day I went to have a proper look. Best location in London to shop for quirky gifts? I like somewhere I can get in and out of quickly, so big properly managed department stores like Selfridges are ideal for me. Parts of London you’d like to explore more? Meridian Water, Woolwich and Thamesmead. What is your favoured form of transport around the capital? Bike – today I’m on a Specialized Langster – a single-speed aluminium frame design. But normally I ride a Condor Gran Fondo Titanium with Shimano Dura-Ace gears; I also have a Brompton. We know that, as long as we get it right, retail and leisure space will be fundamental to creating a great new urban area. MY LONDON CanadaWater Profile Interview British Land’s ROGERMADELIN CBE , Head of CanadaWater Development, and EMMA CARIAGA , CanadaWater’s Head of Operations tell us about creating a High Street from scratch, how it feels to be responsible for creating a new part of London and reveal their favourite shopping spots in the capital. 17 16 CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD  | EMERGING LONDON SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA WATER