Native Land submits office plans at Bankside Yards

Native Land has submitted plans to turn a residential tower into a ‘concept workplace’ at its Bankside Yards scheme. The 80,600 sq ft ‘Building 1’, designed by Make Architects, will see an 18-storey sustainable office take the spot on the banks of the River Thames that had previously been earmarked for resi. The application represents a change from the consented residential building as Native seeks to strengthen the commercial space offered by the £2.5bn project. The design aims to creates inside/outside spaces and a closeness to the external environment, with seven double height terraces on alternate floors, a roof garden with hospitality space, and bookable dining rooms. The majority of the 5,200 sq ft office floors will benefit from views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the City and the River Thames. The building will be fully integrated into landscaped green space, as part of Bankside Yards’ 3.3 acres of riverside public realm. The building is expected to reach BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5 Star ratings as the development progresses. Building 1 also has a 50% higher biodiversity rating than the GLA London Plan standard, with high levels of greening on the roof terrace and the surrounding publicly accessible landscape. Jay Squier, executive director at Native Land, said: “London businesses are looking for unique and exciting buildings with exceptional sustainability credentials. As our next commercial building at Bankside Yards, ‘Building 1’ aims to meet this demand and exceed expectations for the modern, green and healthy workplace in an unrivalled riverside location with terraces throughout and views of the City of London.” The 1.4m sq ft Bankside Yards development aims to be the UK’s first major mixed-use regeneration scheme with net zero emissions in operation.