Earls Court in Earls Court, London

The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) has embarked on an ambitious initiative to rejuvenate the iconic site of the former Earls Court Exhibition Centres, marking a pivotal development in the area's urban landscape. On 28 November 2022, ECDC announced the selection of three teams of architects, chosen through a competitive process held over the summer, to spearhead the architectural vision for the masterplan's inaugural phase. This phase is set to introduce a harmonious mix of innovative, sustainable designs that resonate with the community's ethos and the rich legacy of Earls Court.

Central to this redevelopment effort is the creation of the first east-west public route across the site in over a century and a half, aimed at knitting together the urban fabric with generous open spaces, thereby front-loading a plethora of benefits for the entire community. The first phase is notably ambitious, planning for the construction of up to 1,300 mixed-tenure homes, inclusive of affordable housing options. These homes are to be complemented by a variety of cultural spaces and offices, poised to generate hundreds of job opportunities, with construction anticipated to start in 2025.

A noteworthy aspect of the project is its grounding in ECDC's four guiding priorities: opening up the site for public access for the first time in 150 years, contributing positively to local communities, showcasing world-class creativity while celebrating the site's storied past, creating a blueprint for future urban living, and addressing the urgent climate emergency with aspirations to surpass net-zero targets. These priorities underscore the project's dedication to not only reviving Earls Court's wonder but also its commitment to sustainability and community enrichment.

Enhancing the development's commitment to a people-first, nature-driven approach is the appointment of the globally acclaimed Danish firm SLA as the landscape architect for the entire site. This announcement signifies a pivotal step towards realizing a vision that is both welcoming and accessible to all, aiming to blend architectural ingenuity with ecological sensitivity.

The collaborative efforts of the newly appointed architects and landscape architects, alongside masterplanners Hawkins Brown and Studio Egret West, are geared towards fleshing out detailed designs for this transformative phase. Building on the foundations laid by ongoing consultations since 2019, the development team is gearing up for the next consultation phase in the coming new year, with an eye on submitting planning applications in the fourth quarter of 2023. This meticulously planned journey marks a significant milestone in reimagining Earls Court, setting a precedent for future generations and turning a new leaf in its celebrated legacy.