The Property team completed the purchase in July 2020. The existing buildings are immediately adjacent to the existing Big Yellow Wapping store and previously operated as a Volkswagen Car dealership with servicing. There are now a number of tenants in occupation on short term leases and uses include an eco bike retailer, offices and storage.
The site of the new store is located on The Highway approximately 0.5km to the east of the Tower of London. This major throughfare can trace its history back to Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval times. A Scheduled Roman bath house lies to the east of Wapping Lane at 172 – 179 The Highway. Understandably, an archaeological dig will be undertaken prior to construction activities starting on site. In the 19th Century, the current plot was largely occupied by residential properties which underwent some changes caused by WW2 bombing. There were no major changes until the Garage was built between 1985 and 1989. Close by are Tobacco Dock and London Dock, which is currently undergoing redevelopment as residential apartments.
The new store proposal is for a self storage facility with flexi offices 130,000net sq ft MLA at basement and ground levels plus seven floors of storage.
The redevelopment proposals were submitted to the local planning authority in November 2021. We are targeting a BREEAM accreditation of Excellent.
Demolition and site clearance works are due to start once planning approval is obtained for the redevelopment.
Planning approval has been obtained, we are now forging ahead with the redevelopment.
Target Programme Shell Construction: tba Fit out due: tba Store Opening Date: December 2026
2020
Summer
Existing site
2020
July
The property team complete the purchase
2021
November
Redevelopment proposals submitted
2023
24th August
Planning consent received
2024
15th January
Soft strip demolition started
2024
16th April
Demolition continues
2024
May
Demolition of the upper floors nearing completion to the ground floor podium level.
2024
June
Demolition of the building now complete to ground level.
2024
July
Demolition works are nearing completion with ground obstructions being removed ready for crushing.
2024
August
Archaeology excavation works ongoing to the lower section of the site.
2024
September
Piling mat complete to the upper level ready for piling works to commence in October.
2024
End of September
Final civilisation of the site nearing completion, ready for practical completion of the demolition works this month.
2024
October
Galliford Try commence the build phase with pilling works to the upper level of the site.
2025
February
Piling works have commenced to the southern section of the site following the archaeology investigation works which completed in August 2024.
2025
February
Archaeology works are underway to the Northern part of the site adjacent following the completion of the piling and capping beam works.
2025
25th February
As the archaeology works progress, the remains found comprise the buildings which once fronted north to The Highway.
2025
25th February
The map above shows the excavation area superimposed to the 1887 Goad Map, which shows the outlines of the buildings which are being found in a fragmented state.
These remains, however, date from earlier than the late 19th century, most likely in the late 18th or early 19th centuries.
2025
February
This archaeology excavation process has revealed some interesting artefacts which illustrate the life and trade of the inhabitants to the buildings through the 19th / 20th centuries.
Above you can see a conch shell and a presumed 19th century harp pin.
2025
March
Ground works continue to the southern section of the site to install the reinforced pile cap cages and concrete.
2025
March
During the excavation of a large post-medieval pit containing what appears to be a horse burial.
2025
March
The above photos shows the Roman archaeology which is dominated by a large E-W aligned ditch which runs along the northern boundary of the site. We can now see that this feature was around 1.2m deep, and was accompanied by a smaller, shallower ditch running parallel on its southern side. Such double-ditch arrangements are not uncommon in the archaeological record.
2025
March
Examples of diagnostic Roman pottery
2025
May
Now that the Archaeological works have completed, the remaining ground works have commenced to the northern section of the site, whilst superstructure works to form the ground floor progress to the southern part of the site.
2025
July
The service yard slab has now been cast with works ongoing to form the columns at the lower ground level so slab works can continue. The 1st of 2 tower cranes has now been erected.
2025
August
The 2nd tower crane has now been installed and the 1st Phase of the steelwork has commenced.
Traffic on The Highway is busy as usual at this great location!
2025
September
Phase 1 steel erection continues with the installation of the double height trusses over the service yard now progressing.
2025
November
Now that Phase 1 of the steel erection is complete, scaffolding to the rear is ongoing in readiness for the external façade works to commence later this month.
2025
December
Works to form the concrete 2nd and 4th floors are progressing well with the mesh reinforcement works progressing ready for the concrete pour next week.
The double height trusses and diagonal bracing hold up the upper floors to allow for a service yard free from structural columns.
2026
January
The steelwork erection continues nearing completion on Phase 3 and Phase 4 has now commenced concurrently.
2026
February
Now that the upper phases of steel erection are complete, external wall works are progressing on programme.
The installation of the safety netting is ongoing ready for the roof works to commence next week.
2026
March
The inner lining sheets are nearing completion to the upper roof which provides amazing views across central London and beyond.
2026
March
The concrete floor is now fully complete to the 4th floor level. Once works are nearing the water tight stage, a 3 tier mezzanine will be installed to form the 5th, 6th and 7th floors.
2026
March
The steel frame is now complete which is a fantastic milestone for the project. 2,500 tonnes of steel and many hours of labour….
