Berkeley has begun the painstaking preservation and conversion of the world’s most iconic gasholder at its scheme Oval Village, to create a unique collection of modern new homes with a historic twist. The developer is delivering nearly 200 apartments, along with residents’ amenities, within the existing landmark metal frame of the Victorian gasholder that dominates the skyline, at its transformative brownfield regeneration scheme in South West London.
This Grade II Listed ironwork stands over 130 feet tall and has been out of use since 2014. Neighbouring the world-famous Kia Oval Cricket Ground and known to cricket fans as ‘the big daddy’, the giant structure is now starting a second inning of its own as the multi-million refurbishment projects gets underway. Many of the homes inside the gasholder building will benefit from direct views into the Kia Oval, with a communal roof terrace offering all residents the opportunity to watch cricket whenever they wish.
Paul Vallone, Chairman of Berkeley St Edward, said: “We’re extremely proud of our commitment to the communities in which we deliver homes, and the restoration and repair of this iconic gasholder will mean a new generation of local people and cricket fans across the world can continue to enjoy this important piece of London history. For buyers, the new homes in the gasholder will provide unparalleled views of the Kia Oval cricket ground; this is an exceptional opportunity for sporting fans looking for the perfect London pad.”
To mark this exciting milestone, the gasholder became the stage of a cricketing masterclass on 11th June, as participants from the Lord’s Taverners Super1s disability programme took part took part in a one-off exhibition hosted on an improvised crease within the frame. The event also celebrates that the Berkeley Foundation, the grant-making charity set up by the Berkeley Group, has committed £750,000 to the Super 1s disability cricket programme, delivered by the Lord’s Taverners partnership.
Berkeley’s Oval Village development will deliver 1,360 homes including 35% affordable, beautifully landscaped public spaces, shops, cafés, restaurant and leisure space; all of which will help provide over 1,000 jobs. The brownfield site is being reconnected with the local community for the first time in decades, with a network of public paths and cycleways being woven through the neighbourhood, all of which will be fully accessible for incoming tenants.
The development will feature an abundance of tranquil green interconnected spaces designed by landscape architects Murdoch Wickham. A living wall of greenery and tumbling roses will be supported by the frame of the gasholder. In addition, Oval Village will be home to extensive commercial and retail space; Phoenix Works is the flagship office building at the development.
Oval Village is extremely well connected, just a seven-minute walk from Oval and Vauxhall stations. Oval is on the Northern Line (trains reach Bank in nine minutes), while Vauxhall is on the Victoria line – Victoria can be reached in four minutes and Oxford Circus in nine minutes. Trains from Zone 1 Kennington, an 11-minute walk from the development, stop at the new stations Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station.
Prices at Oval Village start from £580,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. To book a private appointment and viewing, visit www.ovalvillage.co.uk.
