Paddington Basin

The Paddington Basin development is a key element in the regeneration of the less affluent reaches of the City of Westminster and has advanced despite changes in the ownership of the site and the vagaries of the market, as well as indecision about the future development of two major sites: Paddington Station and St Mary's Hospital. Planning permissions have been granted for schemes by Richard Rogers and Terry Farrell. Major headquarter buildings have attracted prestigious tenants, including Orange and Marks & Spencer. A residential development by Munkenbeck & Marshall includes both private and affordable units.

The future development of the site focuses on Merchant Square and will include a 43-storey residential tower, with a public viewing gallery, designed by American practice Perkins & Will, as well

as two headquarter office buildings by the same practice. A further residential block and a canalside commercial block have been designed by Mossessian and Partners for European Land & Property. Further enhancement of the public domain is a key ingredient of the ongoing project, with better access to the canalside – the canal remains in the hands of the British Waterways Board, which has been closely involved in the evolution of the plans. Paddington Basin has been facilitated by Westminster's designation of a special policy area which has allowed a more flexible approach to development than that applied in much of the city. DP9 has guided the development through the complex planning process of translating a masterplan vision to delivering buildings on site.