Amro Partners has submitted a planning application for its largest project to date, a £650million redevelopment of Lewisham Retail Park, delivering 1,452 new rental homes.
Representing the final major regeneration opportunity in Lewisham town centre, the 2.8-acre island site was secured by Amro in 2024 following an 18-month land assembly strategy. The proposals include five new buildings in a landscaped new neighbourhood with almost 2,000 sq m of commercial space, extensive landscaping and a variety of housing types.
These include 387 Build-to-Rent homes ranging from one to three-bedroom apartments, with resident lounges, co-working areas, gyms and podium gardens, 383 co-living studios with extensive shared amenities and 682 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) studios and cluster flats with shared kitchen and living spaces.
Amro Partners engaged with local residents, stakeholders, councillors and community groups to shape its plans for the site. The neighbourhood is designed to include a food hall, deli, bakery, café, restaurants and bars at street level, prioritising independent businesses over chains. These will be connected to a new public square designed to support outdoor events and strengthen the night-time economy. Amro is currently in advanced discussions with specialist food hall operators to take c.1,000 sq m of commercial space.
Located less than a three-minute walk from Lewisham National Rail and DLR stations, with a connectivity rating of PTAL 6B, the development will create an enhanced arrival point into Lewisham town centre via train, car, bike and on foot. The proposed Bakerloo Line extension via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate will further enhance transport links for residents.
Subject to planning, construction could commence in early 2027, with the project scheduled to launch in phased openings during 2029/2030.
Raj Kotecha, Amro Partners co-founder and CEO, said: “This project means a great deal to us and to the people of Lewisham. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform this prominent gateway site into a thriving and sustainable new neighbourhood for local people to live, work, visit and socialise. We’ve been privileged to spend many months listening to local people and shaping our vision for a development that sets a new bar for placemaking and sustainability, as well as bringing forward urgently needed new rental housing.”
