Belvedere Gardens Luxury Flats London Building, Thames Apartments, Southwark Property Images

Belvedere Gardens Luxury Flats in London

Residential Building Southwark: Luxury Apartments on River Thames – design by GRID Architects

19 May 2017

Belvedere Gardens Luxury Flats

Design: GRID Architects

Location: Southbank, London, England, UK

Belvedere Gardens Luxury Flats in Southwark

Topping out: new riverfront homes from Southbank Place nearing completion
• Southbank Place reaches landmark construction phase with the topping out of Belvedere Gardens
• Belvedere Gardens will comprise 97 high-quality apartments with breath-taking views, starting from £1,050,000
• Topping out marks a significant milestone in the luxury development, which is well on the way to completion
• Development contains design-led homes inspired by The Festival of Britain

Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group recently achieved the topping out of Belvedere Gardens, the latest phase of their joint residential development, Southbank Place. The 10 and 20 storey buildings have reached their full height of 39 and 71 metres above ground level respectively, a significant landmark in the construction of the prestigious development.

Belvedere Gardens, designed by the award-winning GRID Architects, occupies a prime position at the front of the 5.25-acre Shell Centre development. The buildings face on to Jubilee Gardens, offering unrivalled views of the River Thames and a host of landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.

The buildings will provide 97 apartments, of one to three-bedrooms, as well as an extensive residents’ amenities floor and roof terrace. The design-led apartments vary in price and size, with one-bedroom apartments starting at £1,050,000.

During the planning and execution of the project, GRID Architects’ designs were greatly influenced by the Festival of Britain, a national exhibition held in 1951. In the wake of World War II, the exhibition symbolised a strong spirit of recovery and rejuvenation. The bronze Festival Star is subtly replicated throughout Belvedere Gardens, masterfully etched onto the façade.

The award-winning architecture practice undertook extensive research into the emblem, which was originally created by influential British graphic designer, Abram Games, and how it could be incorporated into the façade. The architectural team worked tirelessly to make the emblem fit geometrically onto bespoke folded aluminium panels.

To achieve the best results, each panel has been tested extensively in centres in Germany for strength, water resistance and colouring. In addition, the panels were tested for noise and ground wind reduction in a wind tunnel – used to test high-power race cars – at Southampton University, also used to test high-power cars.

The panels are incredibly detailed, featuring alternate perforated holes and embossed dimples, with light-sensitive paint, so that the façade appears to transform with the movement of the sun throughout the day. The bronze colouring pays homage to the nearby Palace of Westminster, and is echoed throughout the exquisite interiors, by Goddard Littlefair.

Commenting on the topping out of Belvedere Gardens, Richard Oakes, Sales & Marketing Director, Europe, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company said: “Southbank Place will have an incredibly positive impact on the landscape of the city. To be able to showcase the exterior of Belvedere Gardens is a fantastic achievement and will continue to build excitement for the opening of one of London’s ultimate mixed-use developments. The fantastic architecture that results will truly be an asset to an already diverse and exciting South Bank area.”

Brian De’ath, Head of Residential Sales at Canary Wharf Group, said: “This is a momentous step in the construction programme. There has been a phenomenal amount of effort from everyone involved in this project, at every level, and when complete, Belvedere Gardens will be one of London’s finest addresses.”

Purchasers at Southbank Place will benefit from the highest quality of living, with access to the 1,700 sq. ft. residents-only amenities floor, which will include his and hers steam and sauna rooms, a gymnasium, a 25-metre swimming pool, treatment rooms, wet room and gym classes. Residents will also be able to make use of an outdoor terrace and residents’ lounge, ideal for social gatherings and business meetings alike. Additionally, the development will include 48,000 sq. ft. of shops, restaurants and bars, plus 530,000 sq. ft. of office space, and a direct entrance to London Waterloo Station.

Potential buyers have the opportunity to view show apartments including fixtures, fabrics and design layouts in the development’s prestigious marketing suite in the Grade II listed County Hall building.