St Katharine Docks
I
live near here and am very conscious of the historical
importance of
the area. Just upstream is the Tower of London,
the City of London is
close by to the North, while eastwards,
St Katharine's Way leads to
Wapping and Limehouse, where
Charles Dickens spent some of his early
childhood.
The dock lies in
the shadow of Tower Bridge. This part of the
Thames has witnessed the
arrival of the Romans, the monarchs
travelling between Greenwich and
Hampton Court, the
Great Fire of London, the rise (and decline) of
London as the
greatest port in the world, right up to today's
magnificent
Thames Festivals.
Phoenicia, on board exhibition at St Katharine Dockscharlesdickenslondon: Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 6:32 PM
The Phoenicia is a fascinating replica of sailing vessels dating
back to 600 BC, when the Phoenicians were the World's first
great maritime traders. St Katharine Docks witnessed the heights
of GB as the latest great sea power, so how splendid for us to
see so far back into maritime history. Captain Philip Beale is totally dedicated and immersed in this project, and an early visit may be shrewd idea, because it is
obviously going to be a
great attraction open until
September; children will love
it as well. His website,
is very informative,
with all kinds of important
historical information.
Do visit, you'll love it!
Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 8:46 AM
What a fabulous event.
The Queen and Prince Phillip obviously enjoyed themselves
enormously, and so did the
people, probably more than
ever before).The atmosphere here
was full of joy, pride, fun and thrills;
absolutely splendid and unique.
Thanks and praise to
a most wonderful Monarch.
Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:55 PMSettling down now, towards the end of this triumphant celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. A lovely surprise for me, was to see Gloriana moored here in the docks. The million pound row barge, painstakingly hand built, which took more than four years by 60 craftsmen, was certainly one of
the main attractions in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
this weekend, leading more than 1,000 boats to honour the occasion. The first royal barge to be built in 100 years, Gloriana was powered on the day by 18 oarsmen, led by
Britain's greatest Olympian, Steve Redgrave. The organisation
here seems to have been a great success; with bigger crowds
than ever before.
Beating The Bounds: Allhallows Church By The Tower
This church is one of the most historically important ones
of it kind, and so very worthwhile to visit. Beating the Bounds
is
an ancient custom still observed in many English parishes.
Its roots go back to
mediaeval times when parishes reaffirmed
their boundaries by processing round them at Rogationtide,
stopping to beat each boundary mark with wands and to pray
for protection and blessings for the land.
At All Hallows we beat the bounds of
our parish every year on
Ascension Day. Plenty more interesting detail on
Nightingale Lane was, for hundreds of years, renowned for being home to villains of all kinds; it separated St Katharine Docks from
London Dock and it has now been renamed Thomas More Street. Times
Newspapers transferred here from Fleet Street some time ago, and press
people were here again today, hoping to get sight of Rupert Murdoch,
talking to staff at the Sun. Carrying on an old tradition or an
unfortunate coincidence?
EXCITING NEWS:
Press Release:
19 DECEMBER 2011
Key design team appointed to major upgrade programme at St. Katharine Docks.
· Morey Smith and Buckley Gray Yeoman appointed by St Katharine Dock’s new owners
· Experienced and innovative design team will help deliver improvements to the central
London marina
· Part of substantial investment by Max Property Group in the future of unique Dock
Max
Property Group Plc, has announced the appointment of two experienced
design teams who will help to transform commercial
spaces in central London ’s only marina, St Katharine Docks. These
important appointments have been made as part of the significant
investment into the historic Dock from the new owners.
Architects
Morey Smith have been brought on board for their experience in
conducting exceptional renovations on existing
buildings. They will be working on the upgrade works to International
House which will see the main reception and 30,000 sq ft of office space
refurbished including a new quayside access, against the stunning
backdrop of the Dock’s three marinas and next
to the iconic Tower
Bridge . The renovation has already commenced and is due for
completion in early 2012.
As
well as the work on International House, an experienced design team has
been assembled for the next major project,
the renovation of Commodity Quay, which will offer 130,000 sq ft of
prime office space. Architects Buckley Gray Yeoman are the
masterplanners for the investment works on the Dock and are leading the
design team on Commodity Quay. They have been chosen for
their substantial experience of working with existing buildings to
create modern space with unique design and character. They are ideally
placed to work with the impressive features Commodity Quay has to offer,
including double volume space, mezzanine floors
and refurbishment of Grade-A office space fronting St Katharine
Docks. Their innovative design concepts will lead to high quality green
credentials as demanded by significant occupiers.
The
team are currently in the process of forming plans for an overall
upgrade to the commercial buildings at the Dock
in conjunction with businesses, residents and boat owners. These plans
will include significant work to the public realm, environment and
safety aspects of St. Katharine Docks and the surrounding area.
Prestbury Investments’
Ben Walford said: “St Katharine
Docks is a simply beautiful and unique waterside environment which
provides a stunning place to work. We want to retain that dockside
haven whilst
subtly enhancing it to create a premier central London destination,
catering to both the traditional Cite and
West End occupiers.
“These architects have been appointed because of their vast experience in these types of developments
and are a key step towards achieving our goal of creating a vibrant high-profile development”
Paul White, Director at Buckley Gray Yeoman said:
“Buckley Gray Yeoman's work at
Commodity Quay provides a unique opportunity to work on 130,000 sq ft of
office space, in what is a prime location adjacent to a World Heritage
Site. When finished the building will provide a
beautiful place to work in a stunning marina setting”
END
Notes to Editors:
· For media enquiries or further
info rmation about Prestbury Investments or St Katharine Docks please contact
Henry Cox at London Communications Agency on
hc@londoncommunications.co.uk or 020 7612 8477 or mobile 07739 023173
St Katharine Docks
· St Katharine’s Docks was acquired for £156 million by Max Property Group Plc in July 2011 and will be managed by Max’s
external managers Prestbury Investments.
· The living, breathing community of St Katharine Docks caters to all business sectors, from smaller businesses, to larger
international firms looking for a new central London office - a beautiful place to work, visit and live in.
· Max
Property Group is making significant investments into both the
commercial premises on the Dock as well as the three
marinas in St Katharine Docks. The much-loved marina is already a
beautiful and luxurious location steeped in history and will be subtly
enhanced to create a high-profile destination that
London can be proud of.
· Further
improvements to the Docks will include major upgrade works of the East,
West and Central marinas to bring them
to a high quality, international standard and make them even more
appealing to high profile events and visiting vessels. This will
include more efficient pontoons, better amenities for superyachts and
upgrading shoreside facilities for visiting boat owners
and office occupiers alike.
So we now await with baited breath and
GREAT EXPECTATIONS!
