Rockwell bags Elephant and Castle Salvation Army site

Rockwell has acquired the Salvation Army site at 101 Newington Causeway, in Southwark, SE1, for more than £50m. The site has been earmarked for a major mixed-use scheme, and is one of the last remaining development opportunities as part of the £4bn Elephant and Castle regeneration. It currently holds 90,918 sq ft of buildings housing The Salvation Army UK and Republic of Ireland Territorial HQ and the church. The charity intends to use the money from the sale to relocate in the borough. The Salvation Army appointed Savills to sell the site in 2018. The 0.6 acre site has been identified as a development site within the Southwark 2017 Plan, which states it must reprovide employment floorspace – either providing the same amount of floorspace, or 50% of the new development as employment space, whichever is greater. It should also look to deliver new homes. Southwark Council has had positive pre-application discussions for comprehensive redevelopment of the site to provide a 39-storey tower and 14-storey commercial building. Donal Mulryan, founder of Rockwell, said: “Elephant and Castle is undoubtedly one of the most exciting areas in London and the Salvation Army headquarters is an exceptional site. “Rockwell has an absolute commitment to ensuring that local people benefit directly from each proposal, and to working in partnership with local organisations to achieve this.” Andrew Cox, Savills development director, added: “Savills undertook an extensive marketing campaign that generated huge interest in this landmark site. The Salvation Army believe that Rockwell had sufficient vision and track record to deliver on the site.” Rockwell recently secured planning consent for a 40-storey scheme at Quay House in Canary Wharf, for a scheme comprising a 400-bed hotel, 279 apartments and leisure space. The developer recently started construction at 82 West India Dock Road, adjacent to Westferry DLR station, following a £106m investment deal with Aviva Investors.