Construction has now started on a new housing and commercial complex inspired by famous Walworth resident Michael Faraday.
The Kite, on Newington Causeway, is a new 143,915 square-foot building with a 25-storey tower, 140-room hotel and 48 one, two and three-bedroom flats including 35 per cent ‘affordable’ housing, designed by architectural company SPPARC.
According to its architects, The Kite’s corners will be ‘defined by either a winter garden or open balcony to provide a continuous vertical form that contrasts with the horizontal and vertical appearance of the ceramic façade’.
The designers say a filigree screen pattern planned for the building took inspiration from the famous scientist Michael Faraday, born in Newington Butts, who became renowned for his work in the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. A memorial to him sits at the Elephant and Castle roundabout, at an electricity substation.
The development will also include a new pedestrian route linking the causeway with Tiverton Street.
Trevor Morriss, principal at SPPARC, said: “The redevelopment of this long-underutilised site is an important part of the transformation of the area into one of London’s key commercial, residential and education hubs.
“By addressing the poor public realm, replacing the existing poor-quality buildings, facilitating the reuse of the railway arches and resolving access, we aim to positively contribute to making the Elephant & Castle a place where people want to study, work, visit and live.”
SPARCC is also designing native Bankside, the redevelopment of a 19th century warehouse in the Bear Gardens Conservation area, and developments at Borough Yards, and Ilderton Road and Verney Road.