Planning permission secured to transform ITV Studios’ South Bank site

The major redevelopment of ITV’s former headquarters on London’s South Bank has received planning permission by the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

The site, 72 Upper Ground, will be transformed by developer Mitsubishi Estate, development manager CO—RE, London-based Make Architects and international landscape architecture practice Grant Associates, and will see the prestigious South Bank location become a new workplace and culture mixed-use development that looks to prioritise wellbeing and sustainability and target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and WELL Platinum certification.

A six-storey mixed use podium will support two office buildings and a generous rooftop garden, with the south office building rising to 26 storeys and stepping down to the riverfront office building of 13 storeys. The layered, sculptural form, devised by Make Architects, “maximises the opportunity for outdoor terraces throughout the development and echoes the distinctive, modernist architecture of the area.”

Environmentally-driven landscape architects Grant Associates will be responsible for ensuring that 40% of the site is transformed into inviting public realm, including the new public rooftop restaurant and terrace, two new public squares and several public walkways linking Upper Ground and the Queen’s Walk to reconnect the local community. The landscape approach embraces nature and looks to provide a vibrant destination point with an abundance of welcoming public realm.

Grant Associates’ focus will be on increasing the overall biodiversity impact and the development’s ability to seamlessly link with the wider local green infrastructure.

“The development will create a vibrant new destination that will include welcoming public spaces fronting onto Queens Walk and Upper Ground. It will improve connectivity and provide a green and biodiverse setting. Our landscape approach will optimise planting and wildlife opportunities throughout the project’s development.”

“The development will be a fantastic addition to the character of the South Bank. Our design marries the sensitive architectural narrative of the area with modern market requirements. We’ve picked up on the horizontal layers of our modernist neighbours, echoing their sculptural form while ensuring that wellbeing, daylight and natural ventilation is a priority for the new tenants. The two buildings will bring extensive amenity in the form of a high-quality commercial and arts-led development and give back 40% of the site to create new biodiverse public spaces, including a new route to the riverfront, and two new garden squares.”

“72 Upper Ground represents a £700m investment in the UK, creating over 4,000 new jobs and vital new workspace in Lambeth. Crucially, it will benefit the local community through the London Studios, which will provide 40,000ft2 net of affordable workspace that is tailored to the needs of Lambeth’s emerging creative industries. This includes new cultural venues that have rehearsal space, gallery and presentation spaces and studios, alongside new public spaces with river-facing cafes and restaurants. “We understand and respect the responsibilities that come with being a major investor and developer in London. We see ourselves as an integral part of London’s community, with the aim to make this global city a better place to work, live and enjoy. We are looking forward to working with our cultural neighbours and the community to deliver on that ambition.”