The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) has agreed terms to sell its 2.5 acre Headquarters site at 8 Albert Embankment, SE1 to developer Native Land.
The deal also requires Native Land to upgrade the existing Lambeth Fire Station to provide for the needs of a 21st century community fire station. Native Land has appointed architectural practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands to design the scheme and a planning application will be submitted by the end of 2007.
The building has been in continual use by London Fire Brigade since 1937 and a feature of the deal is an agreement for the Brigade’s memorial hall be retained. The strategy for moving the headquarters was set out in 2005 and the Brigade are set to move to new premises in Union St, Southwark.
London Fire Commissioner, Sir Ken Knight, said: “The sale offers an opportunity for our partner to unlock the development potential of the Albert Embankment site to provide funding for the Brigade to invest in upgrading its fire stations. The refurbished Lambeth Fire Station will continue to be of strategic importance to central London. I am also delighted that the building will continue to be home of the memorials which list the names of firefighters who have died serving the community over many years”
The main headquarters building fronting Albert Embankment, which is listed, will be retained as part of the development proposals. A listed drill tower in the rear yard will also be protected under Native Land’s proposals.
Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land, added: “We are delighted to have agreed terms with LFEPA to acquire this important river side site. We have appointed a design team to deliver a high quality mixed use redevelopment scheme that will also create best value for our public sector partner.”
Note to editors:
8 Albert Embankment:
The proposed scheme is for a development incorporating both private residential and mixed tenure affordable housing together with commercial space in addition to the retained and refurbished Lambeth Fire Station.
Drivers Jonas acted for LFEPA and Native Land were advised by Montagu Evans.
Native Land:
Native Land is a residential and mixed use development company formed four years ago by Alasdair Nicholls and Jonathan Mantovani, formerly Managing Director and Acquisitions Director respectively of Taylor Woodrow Capital Developments Ltd.
8 Albert Embankment is their second scheme on the South Bank. The first is Project Bankside, a joint venture with Grosvenor, operating as GC Bankside. The scheme won planning consent in early 2007.
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
