The proposed new town centre for Canada Water moved one step closer to reality this week when developers British Land acquired Surrey Quays Leisure Park for £135 million.
The popular entertainment hub currently boasts a cinema, bowling alley, bingo hall and restaurants.
Along with Surrey Quays Shopping Centre and the old print works at Harmsworth Quays, the group now own nearly 50 acres of land in the area.
Their £2 billion “masterplan” includes a new mixed-use town centre, which will boast up to 7m square feet of proposed residential and retail space.
The regeneration project could provide the area with hundreds of homes, as well as space for “higher educational use.”
Emma Carriaga, project manager for British Land, said: “We are pleased to have completed the purchase of Surrey Quays Leisure Park as its inclusion in the Canada Water Masterplan allows for a joined-up approach when bringing forward more detailed proposals for the development of the new town centre for Canada Water.”
Aviva Investors previously owned the leisure centre. Jonathan East, the company’s asset manager, said: “British Land have ambitious plans for the area and we are happy to hand the baton over to them to progress the comprehensive regeneration.”
Consultation will soon begin and planning applications are expected to be placed this summer.