The document outlines the experience and approach of a private sector developer in transforming urban spaces through lightweight, human-scale projects that are typically lower risk and cost. It contrasts the challenges of large-scale developments, which often lead to prolonged blight, with successful examples of smaller, quicker projects that generate significant community and economic benefits. Various case studies of transformed sites demonstrate this methodology's effectiveness in creating vibrant urban environments.

1. CREATIVE REGENERATION

2. URBAN SPACE
MANAGEMENT
•Creating interesting places for 40
years
•Private Sector Developer, Operator
and Consultant
•Strong partnerships

3. “Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper”
The case for more timely, less capital intensive,
more human scale development

4. The property industry has its cyclical ups and downs.
On the up phase mega schemes are dreamt of:
- Large scale sites are assembled
- Large professional teams are employed
- Large sums are raised and risked
If all goes well the heroic project gets off the ground and struggles through to
completion. However, these projects rarely work out exactly as planned.
Why?
- The world may have moved on and the large scale nature means that
such projects take a long time to realise and often get caught in the
downward spiral

5. Some projects may eventually be completed on the second or even third upswing.
Most people can think of at least one example.
Time is a great healer and it is possible that the development pain will be forgotten
when the last space is let.
However in some cases whole areas are left blighted and unloved throughout the
protracted development process. Some are unproductive for decades.
At the other end of the scale a tried and tested approach exists that is:
- Lightweight, energy efficient, human scale
- Always lower risk
- Much lower cost
- Sometimes interim
- Generally able to catch the moment
- Generally creates a greater profit per pound of capital expended

7. CAMDEN LOCK
PREVIOUS USE:
CURRENT USE:
AREA:
JOBS ON SITE:
INVESTMENT:
Wood yard
Market
32,670 sq. ft.
400 plus
£12 million BEFORE
www.urbanspace.com
AFTER

8. MERTON ABBEY
MILLS
PREVIOUS USE:
CURRENT USE:
AREA:
JOBS ON SITE:
INVESTMENT:
Silk printing works
Market, shops,
restaurants, café
offices, theatre
30,000 sq. ft.
400
£1.2 million
BEFORE
www.urbanspace.com
AFTER

9. GABRIEL’S WHARF
PREVIOUS USE:
CURRENT USE:
AREA:
JOBS ON SITE:
INVESTMENT:
Wasteland
Market, cafes,
restaurants,
retail workshops,
performance area
30,000 sq. ft.
20,000 sq. ft.
60
£78,000
BEFORE
www.urbanspace.com
AFTER

10. GABRIEL’S WHARF
•WORKSHOPS
•ARTS
•EVENTS
www.urbanspace.com

11. SPITALFIELDS
MARKET
PREVIOUS USE:
CURRENT USE:
AREA:
JOBS ON SITE:
INVESTMENT:
Wholesale fruit
and veg market
Market, retail,
Restaurants,
Sports,
Opera House
240,000 sq. ft.
550 plus
£300,000
BEFORE
www.urbanspace.com
AFTER

12. SPITALFIELDS
MARKET
•FASHION
•ARTS
•SPORTS
www.urbanspace.com

13. SPITALFIELDS
MARKET
•GROWTH
www.urbanspace.com

14. BISHOPSGATE
GOODSYARD
PREVIOUS USE:
USM USES:
AREA:
JOBS ON SITE:
INVESTMENT:
Derelict railway
arches
Retail, offices
Restaurants,
Gym,
Events venue
Swimming pool
430 sq. ft.
100 plus
£1m
BEFORE
www.urbanspace.com
AFTER

15. BISHOPSGATE
GOODSYARD
•PLANIT EVENTS
•SPORTS
www.urbanspace.com

16. BISHOPSGATE
GOODSYARD
•URBAN GARDEN
•ARTS
www.urbanspace.com

17. TRINITY BUOY
WHARF
PREVIOUS USE:
CURRENT USE:
AREA:
JOBS ON SITE:
INVESTMENT:
Buoy
manufacturing
Arts and
performance
venue,
workspaces for
creative uses
90,000 sq. ft.
515 plus
£4 million
www.urbanspace.com
BEFORE AFTER

18. TRINITY BUOY
WHARF
•CREATIVE COMMUNITY
•ARTS AND CORPORATE EVENTS
•MIX OF BUILDINGS
www.urbanspace.com

19. CONTAINER CITY
OVER 40 SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS
COMPLETED TO DATE:
•SCHOOLS
•YOUTH CENTRES
•SPORTS HALL
•GENERAL PRACTICE
•THEATRES
•CINEMA
•OFFICES
•RETAIL UNITS
•ARTIST STUDIOS
•LIVE / WORK UNITS
•NURSERIES
•CAFÉS
•MUSIC STUDIOS
•ROOFTOP PLAYGROUND
www.urbanspace.com
ELECTRIC
HOTEL
SPORTS
HALL
ARTIST
STUDIOS

20. CONTAINER CITY
CONSTRUCTION
www.urbanspace.com ARTIST
STUDIOS

21. CONTAINER CITY
CONTAINER CITY I & II
WORKSPACE & LIVE / WORK SPACE
www.urbanspace.com
CC I CC I
ARTIST
STUDIOS

22. CONTAINER CITY
OFFICE SPACE
www.urbanspace.com
BARKING
RIVERSIDE
RIVERSIDE
BUILDING
RIVERSIDE
BUILDING

23. CONTAINER CITY
RETAIL
www.urbanspace.com
BOW CREEK
CAFE
CHELSEA

24. CONTAINER CITY
SPORTS
www.urbanspace.com
DUNRAVEN
SCHOOL
DUNRAVEN
SCHOOL

25. CONTAINER CITY
RESIDENTIAL
www.urbanspace.com
COVE
PARK
RIVERSIDE
BUILDING
COVE
PARK

26. CONTAINER CITY
SCHOOLS
www.urbanspace.com
MORPETH
SCHOOL
CONTAINER
LEARN
FAWOOD
CHILDRENS
CENTRE

27. CONTAINER CITY
QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK,
STRATFORD, LONDON
www.urbanspace.com
BBC
STUDIOS
VIEW TUBE
OLYMPIC
BROADCASTING
STUDIOS

28. CONTAINER CITY
OTHER
www.urbanspace.com
ANTARCTIC
CROSSING
PINCHIN ST.
GP’S OFFICE
HOTEL & BAR

29. URBAN SPACE MANAGEMENT LTD
Trinity Buoy Wharf
64 Orchard Place
London, E14 OJW
T: 020 7515 7153
E: eric.reynolds@urban-space.co.uk
www.urbanspace.com
www.urbanspace.com