Hackney Wick in Hackney Wick, London

Nestled in the heart of London, Hackney Wick stands out as a unique enclave, renowned for its vibrant culture and rich history. This area has earned global recognition as a creative hub, housing approximately 250 artist studios and a plethora of around 100 creative businesses, making it a bustling quarter for innovation and artistic expression.

In a bid to complement this dynamic environment, there has been a development initiative around Hackney Wick Station, aimed at crafting a new mixed-use, mixed-tenure community space. This project, known as Wick First, is designed to be more than just a collection of new structures. It is a commitment to enrich the existing local society, ensuring that the development not only resonates with the area's unique character but also enhances the available public space, contributing positively to Hackney Wick's identity as a cradle of creativity.

Central to the vision of Wick First is the aspiration to weave together the existing fabric of Hackney Wick's creative community, its vibrant history, and the potential for sustainable growth. The goal is to cultivate a creatively diverse and inclusive town centre that stands as a beacon of innovative regeneration. Instrumental to realizing this vision is the collaboration with Bow Arts, a revered entity with a track record of spearheading significant placemaking programmes across London. Leveraging their expertise ensures that the commercial strategy for Hackney Wick is both thoughtful and impactful.

Sustainability, opportunity, and community engagement form the pillars of this development, underlying a commitment to bolster local businesses and the arts industry, particularly those in need of relocation. Bow Arts, facilitating this transition, operates on a curatorial approach to workspace allocation, ensuring a harmonious blend of artists and creative entities that complement the ethos of each building.

The development strategically envelops three sites in close proximity to the award-winning Hackney Wick Overground station, straddling Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The project ambitiously plans to introduce around 4,500 m¨‚⧠of non-residential space, aimed at fostering retail, commercial ventures, community activities, and provision of low-cost workspaces. Additionally, the layout includes a public square to beautify the station's forefront and a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly north-south route, enhancing access to the station.

This initiative will see the emergence of 190 homes, catering to a range of needs with 31 units dedicated to London Affordable Rent and 159 to shared ownership, designed by esteemed architects Hawkins Brown, Delvendahl Martin, and Studio Weave.

As this development progresses, it stands as a testament to the values of community, creativity, and sustainable growth, promising to be a valuable addition to Hackney Wick's vibrant landscape.