The regeneration of Elephant and Castle is a major project aimed at transforming one of London’s most lively but underdeveloped areas. The focus of this change includes Elephant Park and a new town centre, which will bring lasting improvements to residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
Elephant Park: A Green Space in the City
Elephant Park is a clear example of modern urban renewal. The development will provide around 3,000 new homes, ranging from apartments to shared living spaces. The project includes the completed Trafalgar Place, South Gardens, and West Grove, all designed to blend with the existing community and offer modern, sustainable living.
At the heart of the development is Elephant Park, a new public green space already open to the public. The park is for both residents and visitors, with shops, cafés, and community spaces, including the Tree House—a place for social and environmental activities. Sustainability is central to Elephant Park, with over 100 mature trees retained and hundreds more planted to improve air quality and provide shade. The development also features a Combined Heat and Power plant (Energy Hub), which will supply all new homes with net-zero carbon heating and hot water. By 2025, the development will be climate-positive as part of Lendlease’s participation in the Climate Positive Development Programme.
The New Town Centre: Redesigning Elephant and Castle’s Heart
The regeneration of Elephant and Castle’s town centre is equally important. The plans involve the redevelopment of the area around Elephant Road, Castle Square, and Ash Avenue. These changes will include new homes, retail spaces, and community amenities.
The new town centre will also improve transport links, with an upgraded tube station that will make it easier for commuters to access the area. Transport for London (TfL) is investing millions of pounds to enhance Elephant and Castle Underground station, including increasing capacity and adding step-free access to the Northern line. Work on the upgrade is scheduled to start in 2025 and complete by 2027. The town centre will also house UAL’s London College of Communication campus, bringing academic and cultural energy to the area. Nearly 1,000 new homes will be built, with 35% of them being affordable, including 116 social rented homes for local residents, addressing the housing shortage in the borough.
This regeneration will also have a major economic impact, creating around 2,000 full-time jobs once complete and 1,230 construction jobs each year during the development phase. The changes will benefit not only residential areas but also the local economy.
Further Developments: Expanding the Transformation
While Elephant Park and the new town centre are the key projects, the regeneration of Elephant and Castle includes 26 individual schemes, each adding something to the area. Notable developments include:
- Borough Triangle, a mixed-use scheme by Berkeley, which will have new homes, office spaces, retail locations, and a public piazza.
- Blackfriars Circus, a high-rise mixed-use project by Barratt, with over 300 homes, including affordable units, as well as public squares and green spaces.
- The Castle, a new leisure centre by Southwark Council, featuring a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall, and gym.
- Mercato Metropolitano, an Italian market in a former paper factory, offering food, drink, and community events, with a new branch opening in Elephant Park.
- The Ceramic Building, a mixed-use tower including a 140-room hotel, retail space, and 16 affordable homes.
- Elephant and Castle Tube Station Upgrade, a £multi-million investment by Transport for London (TfL) to enhance the Underground station. The upgrade will increase station capacity, provide step-free access to the Northern line, and improve overall access.
Community Projects and Cultural Spaces
A key part of the regeneration plan is the creation of community spaces and cultural facilities. Hotel Elephant provides affordable workspaces for local artists and makers. Drawing Room, a public art gallery, continues to support the area’s creative community. The Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library, located within new Lendlease developments, add to the area’s educational and cultural offerings.
These community-driven initiatives show a shift towards creating a space where culture, creativity, and business come together. From temporary projects like BOLD Theatre to permanent spaces like 55 East and Mercato Metropolitano, the regeneration of Elephant and Castle is becoming a lively, diverse, and sustainable part of London.
The regeneration of Elephant and Castle is more than just about new homes and shops; it’s about creating a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant environment for both new and existing residents. As these projects progress, Elephant and Castle is becoming one of the most forward-thinking urban destinations in London. By 2025, when Elephant Park and other developments are complete, Elephant and Castle will be a new landmark in the city’s urban landscape.