This year has marked exciting times for fans of Westfield Stratford City, Europe’s biggest urban and leisure destination, and the future looks set to be no less vibrant.
The company behind the mall, Westfield, this year submitted plans to expand the Stratford mall and leisure park on to Cherry Park next door.
Homes, Park, Shops and Offices
The plans include the creation of no fewer than 1,225 homes, along with a public park spanning 2,700 sq m and new commercial space to be used by small and medium-sized companies totalling 3,000 sq m. They also include a provision that could see the addition of another 10,000 sq m of shop space.
The area has already changed vastly in recent times after work carried out by a range of companies, including UK tensile roof systems firm http://fabricarchitecture.com, and the future looks set to bring even more alterations in terms of facilities and size.
The new plans will also make homes a feature of Westfield Stratford City for the first time. The complex currently features shops, restaurants, a cinema, a casino and two hotels.
2015 will also mark an end to a very busy year for Westfield at Stratford, where new restaurants, a new Love Aroma store, a Hyundai Rockar and retail, lifestyle and leisure offerings from the likes of the Holiday Design Store – Tui, Rush Hair & Beauty, Pot Belly, Cath Kidston and Gymbox are amongst the latest additions. The New Year will also see the opening of a Nationwide, a new Virgin Media Unit and a new Thornton’s shop.
History of Westfield Stratford City and the Olympic Area
Westfield Stratford City was launched in 2011 and cost £1.17 billion to develop. It marked the gateway to London’s Olympic Park and attracted 48 million people during 2012.
It is the largest urban leisure and shopping destination in Europe and boasts more than 250 shops and 70 bars. An Olympic Masterplan also envisioned the creation of more than 1,000 new homes and more office space.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was transformed after the 2012 Olympic Games and now boasts schools, homes, businesses and open green spaces. The area has been heralded as a model of sustainable urban regeneration.
The Athletes’ Village went on to become what is known as East Village, and the Olympic Stadium will be West Ham FC’s home during 2016.
