Artworks Elephant gets planning permission

A pop-up mall, similar to the Boxpark in Shoreditch, has been granted planning permission to build a “low cost business and retail space for creative and start-up companies” in London’s Elephant and Castle. The temporary development,

known as Artworks Elephant, will be built on the site of the former Heygate Estate on Walworth Road and will feature 50 recycled shipping containers. The scheme is part of a regeneration initiative by Lend Lease and Southwark Borough Council and it is hoped that the development will “bring life” and activity to the area as well as act as an “incubator” for entrepreneurs.

The space will focus on small and start-up companies, with space for around 60 different occupiers, who will all be offered “competitive” inclusive rents in the hoped that many local businesses with benefit from the opportunity to take space in a Central London location.

The developers said the recycled shipping containers will be refurbished into innovative spaces to suit a range of different occupiers and that Artworks will also provide a restaurant and café, situated around a newly created open space.

It is hoped that those retailers and businesses joining Artworks will eventually take permanent space in the new high street on Walworth Road and Heygate Street which will be created as part of Lend Lease's 1.5 billion pound regeneration project.

Artworks Elephant to open in 2014

Charlie Fulford, director of Artworks, said: “This is an innovative project that will bring immediate economic and social benefits to the Elephant & Castle and help establish a real sense of place. We hope Artworks will be a lively and vibrant place for the occupiers as well as all the visitors to the site.”

Cllr Colley, cabinet member for regeneration at Southwark, added: “The idea of the interim uses and creative projects in and around Elephant & Castle is to make sure that Walworth continues to thrive during substantial change, especially while the demolition and construction work takes place.

“Walworth is already a popular area for artists and students in the creative industries and is a hub for small businesses and independent retail. Artworks will provide temporary space for more of these types of business and support our drive to boost the local economy."

The temporary pop-up is one of many interim uses that Lend Lease and Southwark Council is exploring during the course of the 15-year long regeneration project, which aims to create around 5,000 new jobs in the local area, as well as build 3,000 new homes and 160,000 square foot of retail space.

Artworks Elephant is expected to open in early 2014.