SPPARC, the London-based architecture studio co-designing Olympia and behind the redevelopment of Borough Yards, has announced its appointment by real estate investment firm Yoo Capital as masterplanner architect for a new mixed-use neighbourhood in Camden’s Kentish Town, anchored by a world class film quarter.
The masterplan vision for Camden Film Quarter will focus on the delivery of homes for local people, of which 50% will be affordable, and the creation of employment opportunities for creative industries, and in a boost for the UK’s thriving film industry, will include inner London’s first significant film studio campus. This responds to an immediate need from the UK’s globally-renowned TV and film sector for best-in-class sound stages and live sets in the city centre.
On behalf of Yoo Capital, SPPARC’s design spans the site bordered by a railway line to the north and west, and Regis Road to the south – currently only accessible from Kentish Town Road. The masterplan will transform an isolated industrial area currently cut off from the surrounding context into a highly sustainable and vibrant neighbourhood linked by a series of green walkable routes.
Drawing on its expertise in delivering successful projects that are anchored by a curiosity in neighbourhood history, arts and culture, and in line with Camden Council’s wider Kentish Town Framework, SPPARC’s designs will deliver employment opportunities for the creative industries, new homes, and cultural and community facilities.
SPPARC’s masterplanning prowess includes the reinvention of a large area next to Borough Market including a series of Victorian railway arches linking to London Bridge station. The scheme has reinstated the area’s lost medieval street pattern to create Borough Yards, a £300 million mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial and cultural destination recognised in 2023 by the RIBA Awards and the recipient of a Planning Award for Design Excellence.
Trevor Morriss, Principal at SPPARC, said:
“Together with Yoo Capital, we are excited to collaborate with Camden Council and the local community to ensure the masterplan for Camden Film Quarter reflects our shared vision for a vibrant new mixed-use district in the heart of Kentish Town, featuring London’s first significant film complex.”
“Our goal is to deliver on the Council’s aspirations for a highly sustainable neighbourhood that will support and enrich the local area. Through stakeholder engagement and in listening to community views, the masterplan we put forward will learn from and pay homage to Kentish Town’s rich culture to inspire and influence a place that has its own distinct identity informed by historical context, while supporting one of the UK’s most successful creative industries.”
Lloyd Lee, Managing Partner at Yoo Capital, said:
“We are excited to be collaborating with SPPARC once more on our most ambitious project to date, Camden Film Quarter. We have begun working closely with Camden Council and local stakeholders, including residents, neighbouring businesses and a cadre of esteemed experts, to outline a masterplan vision that will begin the path to Camden being one of the centrepieces of the UK’s drive to be the world’s foremost leader in the creation, production and distribution of great film and television.”
“We chose SPPARC for their sensitive and authentic design language. They are gifted in their ability to create true local landmarks: places that inspire both locally and globally. We look forward to bringing our vision to life through SPPARC.”