Tate Bankside Masterplan

Bankside is currently the focus of some of the most exciting developments in the United Kingdom, in particular in the areas of the arts, tourism and physical regeneration.  Tate Modern has attracted over five million visitors in its first year, The Globe Theatre and many other visitor attractions are thriving and increasingly those in creative industries are looking to Bankside as a place to live and work. Bankside has the potential to be a major arts quarter for London.  Although its recreational areas are limited there is a well-developed approach to open spaces with many small parks, and gardens.

This study mainly focuses on the triangle of land bounded by the River Thames to the north, Blackfriars Road to the west, Borough High Street to the east and Elephant and Castle at the southern apex.  This area is ideally placed for future developments with some of the best transport connections in London, including four tube stations, two mainline stations and several arterial routes.

The practice has been asked to suggest strategic ideas for the wider area of Bankside and create a vision for the immediate context of Tate Modern.  The masterplan proposes a new public urban space to the South of Tate Modern that engages with the surrounding buildings and will be the focal point of a major new urban quarter.  This mixed-use environment will bring a wide range of activities to the area which will be more animated during the day and into the evening.

The scheme highlights the need for community facilities and increased retail opportunities. By creating clearer and better designed connections between the local neighbourhoods (in particular down to the Elephant & Castle), as well as direct links between transport stops, parks and the river, the plan will enhance the public realm in general.  Improving public spaces, parks and community facilities and encouraging a broad mix of uses in new developments will reinforce local neighbourhood identity.
 

“A great public piazza, a new open south face to the monolithic Tate Modern and strong linkages to the existing community and through to the Elephant & Castle are the key drivers of our scheme”.  Mike Davies

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