Queen's Yard, Hackney Wick

The Queen’s Yard development site lies in a conservation area and within the 2012 London Olympic fringe area. The Hackney Wick Central Masterplan identifies Queen’s Yard as a key site within the approved masterplan. The Yard is the ‘beating heart’ of Hackney Wick and the central aim of the redevelopment is to shift the existing focus of the Yard from being employment focused to becoming a truly mixed-use neighbourhood centre - whilst retaining its working yard character, including for two retained breweries. The redevelopment will provide greatly needed new homes alongside an increase in employment space and a purpose-built new theatre and community facility, securing the long-term future of the Yard Theatre on site. The mixed-use scheme will create a new residential neighbourhood of 143 high-quality Build-to-Rent homes focussed around a highly animated public realm. Sensitively designed new buildings will be introduced around three key heritage assets which are to be retained within Queen’s Yard. The 85% dual aspect residential component forms part of the wider redevelopment of the Yard, which also features 4,500m² of employment space, including a new 1,500m² Yard Theatre and associated community facility. Employment uses will provide a mix of retail, café / restaurant and commercial / light industrial space at street level throughout, animating the public realm. Hard and soft landscaping improvements will greatly enhance amenity and sense of place; creating an inclusive, pedestrian and cycle friendly place focused around the Yard and waterside. The opening up and expansion of the canal edge will assist in broadening Queen’s Yard’s appeal as a destination and contribute to the local economy. The key focal point of the scheme is the open working Yard at its centre, creating a key destination within the area. Placemaking has been a central focus of the design thinking throughout but here in particular the historic, social, physical and cultural qualities of this unique place are intimately intertwined. The design of the yard is deliberately open and restrained; intended to act as a transformational and highly flexible ‘blank canvas’ to support dynamic and inclusive community events. Key existing anchor tenants - the Yard Theatre, Crate Brewery and Howling Hops Brewery - all enjoy a direct relationship with the Yard which will assist in generating energy here. They will also help in creating a ‘halo effect’ and attracting other dynamic businesses to the Yard. The development is designed to enhance the lives and experiences of all users - whether coming to live, work or play here - and to further enhance the vibrant character of Hackney Wick. It will create a lively and welcoming destination, firmly rooted in place, to serve the needs of local people. The vibrant mix of flexible uses will feed off one another and help to secure the long-term vitality of this key site within East London. “This promises to be a highly successful mixed-use development within Hackney Wick, with generous, flexible commercial space and high-quality residential accommodation. The scheme relates well to its context - including the retained heritage buildings and the yard, as well as its prominent location on White Post Lane. The Quality Review Panel offers its warm support for the Queen’s Yard development which promises to contribute much to the new Hackney Wick neighbourhood.” Peter Studdert, LLDC Quality Review Panel Chair.